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AGATHYNIAN     CLUB 

1  ttMiatiottSi. 


No.    II. 


120  Copies  Printed. 


fo.  120 


'/ 


^;3 


Agathynian  Press. 


INTRODUCTION 


1  OLYDORUS  VIRGILIUS,  or  Vergilius, 
otherwife  named  de  Caftello,  was  born  at  Urbino,  in 
Italy,  toward  the  clofe  of  the  fifteenth  century.  Of 
his  family  and  antecedents  little  is  known.  In  1498 
he  publijfhed  a  collection  of  proverbs  in  Latin, 
^^  Proverbiorum  Libellus,''  and  in  1499  the  book  D^ 
Rerum  InventoribuSy  which  has  frequently  been  re- 
publiflied,  and  of  which  the  prefent  iflue  of  the 
Agathynian  Club  is  a  tranflation.  Having  taken 
holy  orders  he  was,  about  the  year  1501,  fent  to 
England  by  Pope  Alexander  VI.,  whofe  Cham- 


M182890 


vi  INTRODUCTION, 

berlain  he  then  was,  to  collect  the  tax  called  Pe- 
ter's pence.  He  was  the  laft  perfon  who  held  the 
office  of  sub-coUedor  of  this  tribute  previous  to 
the  feparation  of  the  Englifh  Church  from  the 
Church  of  Rome  in  the  reign  of  Henry  VHI. 

Soon  after  his  arrival  in   England  he  was  ap- 

I       pointed  redor  of  Langton   church,  in  Leicefter- 

i      fhire,  and  fubfequently  by  the  King,  Henry  VH., 

I      archdeacon  of  Wells.     Other  benefices  were  alfo 

beftowed  upon  him. 

In  1 5 17  he  republifhed  in  London  his  work 
de  Rerum  Inventoribus,  which  he  extended  to  eight 
books. 

In  1525  he  iflued  an  edition  of  Gildas'  Be  Ca- 
lamitate^  and  in  1525  a  treatife  T)e  Prodigiis  in 
which  he  attacks  divination. 

In  1533  he  finlfhed  his  hiftory  of  England,  be- 
gun in  1507,  in  twenty- eight  books,  from  the 
earliefl  times  to  the  reign  of  Henry  VIII.     This 


INTRODUCTION.  vii 

work  was  undertaken  at  the  requeft  of  Henry 
VII.,  with  whom  Polydore  appears  to  have  been  a 
great  favorite.  Confidering  the  fad  that  the  au- 
thor was  a  foreigner,  it  is  a  fomewhat  remarkable 
produdion,  though  it  has  never  been  regarded  as 
of  high  authority  in  difputed  points  of  Englifh 
hiftory. 

During  the  reign  of  Edward  VI. ,  Polydore  Vir- 
gil left  England  and  returned  to  his  native  city, 
where  he  died  in  1555,  retaining  till  the  laft,  by 
permifTion  of  the  king,  the  archdeaconry  and  a 
prebend  in  the  cathedral  of  Hereford. 

Several  points  in  the  hiflory  of  Polydore  Virgil 
have,  as  Sir  Henry  Ellis*  declares  in  his  edition 
of  Polydore's  Englifh  Hiftory,  been  fatisfactorily 

.  *  Polydore  Vergil's  Englifh  Hiftory,  from  an  Early  Tranflation 
preferved  among  the  MSS.  of  the  old  Royal  Library  in  the 
Britifh  Mufeum.  vol.  i.  containing  the  firft  eight  books  comprifing 
the  period  previous  to  the  Norman  Conqueft.  London.  Printed 
for  the  Camden  Society,  1846.     Preface,     p.  v. 


vUi  INTRODUCTION. 

fettled.  Thus  from  a  letter  written  by  Henry 
VIII.,  to  Pope  Leo  X.,  in  1513,  it  is  expreffly 
ftated  that  Polydore  had  been  twelve  years  in  Eng- 
land, and  from  a  pafTage  in  the  Regifter  of  Bifli- 
op  Smith,  of  London,  it  appears  that  Sir  Nicho- 
las Griffin,  Knight,  in  1503,  prefented  him  with 
the  rectorfhip  of  church  Langton  in  Leicefterfhire. 
Another  incident  is  mentioned;  in  1509  he 
wrote  a  letter  to  James  IV.,  of  Scotland,  requefting 
that  monarch  to  fend  him  a  catalogue  of  the  Scotch 
kings,  and  memoirs  of  their  moft  remarkable  ac- 
tions. Ruddiman,  who  mentions  this  fact  in  his 
preface  to  Gawin  DouglaPs  tranflation  of  Virgil, 
fays  that  he  met  with  but  little  encouragement 
from  the  Scotch  king,  who  looked  upon  the  ap- 
plication with  sufpicion,  and  who  defired  that  the 
hiftory  of  Scotland  should  be  written  by  one,  more 
in  his  intereft  than  was  Polydore  Virgil.  Gawin 
Douglas,  Bifhop  of  Dunkeld,  at  a  later  day  fup- 
plied  the  defired  information.  In  regard  to  this 
point,  Polydore,*  in  fpeaking  of  the  difference  be- 

*Op.  cit.,  p.  105. 


INTRODUCTION.  ix 

tween  his  ftatement  relative  to  Reuda,  and  that  of 
the  Scotch  hiftorians,  fays  :  "  But  peradventur 
there  will  bee  fomme  which  will  not  a  littel  bee 
aggreeved  at  thefe  thinges,  for  of  late  one  Gawine 
DowglaSj  Bifhop  of  Dunchell,  a  Scottifche  manne, 
a  manne  as  well  noble  in  ligneage  as  vertewe,  when 
he  underftoode  that  I  was  purpofed  to  write  this 
historie  hee  camme  to  commune  with  mee  ;  in 
forthe  with  wee  fell  into  friendfhippe,  and  often 
he  vehementlie  requiered  mee  that  in  relation  of 
the  Scotifche  affaires  I  fhowlde  in  no  wife  follow 
the  prefident  of  an  hiftorie  of  a  certaine  countri- 
man  of  his,  promilinge  within  a  few  dayfe  to  fende 
mee  of  thofe  matters  not  to  be  contemned,  which 
indeade  hee  perfourmed.     *     *     * »» 

During  the  reign  of  Henry  VIII.,  Polydore  was 
imprifoned  in  confequence  of  charges  made  againft 
him  in  an  anonymous  letter  adreffed  to  Cardinal 
Wolfey.  This  letter  was  afterward  afcertained  to 
have  been  written  by  Andreas  Ammonius,  the 
King's    Latin    Secretary,   who,   upon    Polydore's 


M  INTRODUCTION. 

imprifonment,  fucceeded  him  as  colledor  of 
Peter's  pence.  How  long  he  remained  in  prifon 
is  not  certain,  but  in  15 17  he  wrote  to  his  brother 
that  he  was  at  liberty  and  ease. 

In  1550  he  obtained  permifTion  from  Edward 
VI.  to  return  to  his  native  country,  the  infirmi- 
ties of  age  requiring  a  warmer  climate  for  him 
than  that  of  England.  He  does  not  appear  to 
have  left  till  1551. 

His  hiftory  of  England  is  the  largeft  and 
moft  complete  work  written  by  Polydore.  Begun 
in  1507  at  the  requeft  of  Henry  VII.,  it  was  not 
finished  till  1533,  in  the  reign  of  Henry  VIII. 
The  firft  edition  was  publifhed  at  Bafle,  in  1534, 
and  was  followed  by  feveral  others  in  tolerably 
quick  fucceflion.  That  this  hiftory  is  very  valua- 
ble there  can  be  no  doubt,  and  it  bears  upon  its 
face  the  impreffion  of  fairneff  and  a  confcientious 
defire  to  be  full  and  explicit  on  all  points.  Never- 
thelefs  it  has  been  roundly  abufed  as  being  partial, 


INTRODUCTION.  xi 

deficient  in  judgment,  and  as  abfolutely  falfe. 
Doubtlefs  a  great  deal  of  the  prejudice  againft 
Polydore  arofe  from  the  two  fads  that  he  was  a 
foreigner,  and  that  his  attainments  were  far  in  ad- 
vance of  thofe  of  his  contemporaries.  In  addi- 
tion, his  inveftigations  had  shown  several  of  the 
moft  cherifhed  legends  of  the  British  to  be  mere 
fables.  Sir  Henry  Ellis  regards  Polydore's  work 
as  a  very  valuable  addition  to  Englifh  hiftory, 
and  as  being  remarkable  for  the  terfenefs  and 
vigor  of  its  language.* 

The  charges  that  he  deftroyed  many  valuable 
papers  relating  to  Englifh  Hiftory,  and  that  he 
fent  others  to  Rome,  appear  to  reft  on  no  solid 
foundation. 

The  little  work,  ^^ P rover biorum  Libellus^''  was  the 
firft  of  its  kind,  being  publiftied  anteriorly  to  the  fa- 

*  Three  books  of  Polydore  Vergirs  Hiflory,  etc.  London  : 
Printed  for  the  Camden  Society,  1844.      Preface. 


Mii  INTRODUCTION.  I 

I 
mous  Adagia  of  Erafmus.    The  latter  claimed  this  ] 

honor  for  himfelf  but  Aibfequently    renounced  it  \ 

in  favor  of  Polydore.     This  circumftance  led  to  a  \ 

warm  friendfhip    between  the  two  fcholars  which  j 

lafted  till  the  death  of  Erafmus,  in  1536.  i 

A  copy  of  the  edition  of  the  ^^  Proverhiorum  Liber**  \ 

published  at  Argentoratum  (Strasbourg)  in  15 10,  \ 

is  before  me.     As  fpecimens  of  the  flyle  and  con-  : 

tents  of  the  book,  I  fubjoin  Proverbs  CXCII.  and  ; 

ccxxv. 

] 
"Fas  nefas.  \ 

"  Fas  nefas,  velis  nolis  fanda  nefanda,  digna  in-  ] 
digna,  hujus  modi  elocutiones  passim  proverbiales  \ 
inveniuntur  apud  scriptores."     Auctor  Donatus.    ' 

"  Una  Hirundo  non  facit  Ver.  \ 

1 
\ 

*'Ventus   Favonius   ad.   viii.    calendas  Martias  ! 

flare  incipit,    Hora.    dicente.   Soluit  acris  hyems  | 

grata    vice    veris    et   Favoni.  quem    chelidoniam  ■ 

vocant,  ab  hirundinis  visu.    Grece  enim  hirundo  \ 


INTRODUCTION.  xiii 

'X^cXihuv  appellatur  et  quonlam  eo  flare  incipiente 
hirundo  avis  advena  ad  nos  traiecto  ponte  tranfu- 
olet.  Hinc  efl:  proverbium  illud.  Una  hirundo 
non  facit  ver." 

The   treatife    De   Rerum   Invent oribus  was    first 
ifliied  at  Venice  in    1499,  with  the  following  title  : 
'^  Polydori    Vergilli    Urbinatis    de    Inventoribus 
Rerum    Libri    tres."     It   was  reprinted  in   1503. 
The  edition  printed  at  Basle,  in  1521,  was  extended    | 
to  eight  books,  and  was  followed  by  many  flmilar 
editions   from    the    fame    city.     It  was  alfo  pub- 
liflied  at   Leyden  and   many  other  places,  and  an 
edition   was   printed  in    1651   by  Daniel  Elzevir. 
Sir  Henry  Ellis  mentions  but  two  Italian  editions 
from  a  tranflation  by  Pietro  Lanno,  of  Modena. 
They  were  printed  at  Venice  in  1543  and   1545. 
An  Italian  edition,  tranflated  by  Francefco  Ban- 
delli,  and  publiflied  at  Florence  by  Fillipo  Giunti, 
in  1592,  was  alfo  iflued.    A  copy  is  contained  in  the 
Aftor  Library.     This  copy  has  written  on  the  fly- 
leaf "  Edizione  rara  aflai,"  and  the  following  efl:i- 


xiv  INTRODUCTION. 

mate  of  the  author  by  one  of  the  former  pofTefTors 
of  the  volume: 

*'  Virgillii  duo  sunt,  alter  Maro  tu  Polydore 
alter  ;   tu  mendax  ille  poeta  fuit." 

In  the  dedication  to  this  volume,  the  tranflator 
flates  that  he  has  purged  it  of  feveral  heretical 
errors. 

The  firft  Englifh  edition  appeared  in  1546, 
with  the  following  title  : 

"  An  Abridgemente  of  the  notable  Woorke  of 
Polidore  Vergile,  containing  the  deuifers  and 
fyrfte  finders  oute  as  well  of  artes,  ministeries, 
Feactes  and  ciuill  ordinaunces  as  of  the  Rites  and 
Ceremonies  commonly  ufed  in  the  Churche ;  and 
the  original  beginnyng  of  the  fame,  compendioufly 
gathered  by  Thomas  Langley.  Imprynted  at 
London  by  Richard  Grafton,  Printer  to  the 
Princes  Grace  the  XVI  daie  of  Aprill,  the  yere  of 
our  Lorde  MDXLVI.  Cum  Privilegio  ad  im- 
primendum  folum." 

This   was  a  fquare   i2mo.  volume.     The  work 


INTRODUCTION. 


XV 


was  printed   again  January  26,   of  the  following 
year,  and  again  in  155 1. 

A  fourth  edition  was  printed  by  John  Tifdale. 
This,  according  to  Sir  Henry  Ellis,  was  the  laft 
edition  of  the  abridgement,  as  no  works  from  Tis- 
dale's  prefs  are  known  of  a  date  anterior  to  1550. 

As  the  original  work  contained  many  opinions 
and  ftatements  not  fuited  to  the  orthodox  mind,  it 
failed  to  meet  with  the  approval  of  the  inquifition. 
An  edition  was  however  printed  at  Rome  by  per- 
mifTion  of  Gregory  XIII.,  in  1576,  which  was 
purged  of  the  obnoxious  pafTages. 

The  edition  of  which  the  prefent  iflue  of  the 
Agathynian  Club  is  a  reprint,  is  rare,  and  was 
apparently  not  known  to  Sir  Henry  Ellis,  as  he  no- 
where refers  to  it.  I  have  not  had  the  opportunity 
of  comparing  it  with  any  other  Englifh  edition, 
and  am  not  aware,  therefore,  in  what  refpects  it 
differs  from  them.  It  appears  to  be  well  tranf- 
lated,  but  is  evidently  abridged  in  fome  parts. 

The  work  itfelf  is  learned  and  interefting,  and 


^ 


INTRODUCTION. 


is  the  refult  of  much  careful  refearch.  Many  of  \ 
the  opinions  and  afTertions  are  erroneous,  but  not  | 
more  fo  than  were  thofe  enunciated  by  other  anti-  \ 
quaries  of  the  day,  whilft  the  general  impreflion  j 
left  upon  the  mind  of  the  reader  is  favorable  to  ; 
the  candor  and  ability  of  the  author.  The  arti-  | 
cles  relating  to  ecclefiological  matters  are  efpecially  ! 
valuable  and  correct.  ] 

No  edition  of  the  work,  nor  indeed  of  any  j 
other  of  Polydore  Virgil's  writings,  has  ever  before  j 
been  printed  in  the  United  States.  I  am  very  ; 
fure,  therefore,  that  the  action  of  the  Agathynian  ' 
Club  in  making  the  prefent  iflue,  will  receive  the  i 
cordial  approval  of  all  who  value  books  both  for  ■ 
their  contents  and  their  typographical  appearance.    ; 

WILLIAM  A.  HAMMOND.       \ 

i 

New  York,  Nov.  20,  1867.  \ 


THE 

WORKS 

OF  THE 

Famous  Antiquary, 

Polidore   Virgil. 

Compendioufly 

Englifli't  by  John'  Langley^  late  Mafter  of  Paul's  School, 
London, 

CONTAI  NI  NG 
The    Original  of  all    Arts, 

Sciences^    Myjieries^    Orders^    Rites^    and    Ceremonies^    both 
Ecclesiajiical  and    Civil, 

A  Work  Useful 

For     all    Divines^     Historians^ 
Lawyers^  and  all  Artificers, 

LONDON, 

Printed  for  Simon  Miller^  at  the  Star  in  St.  Paul's  Church- 
Yard,   1663. 


Polidore  Virgil 


"The  Firji  BOOK. 


CHAP.  I, 


THE    ORIGINALL    OF    THE    HEATHEN    GODS. 


W 


HEN  the  rpirits  of  the  ayr  (whom  the 
Scripture  calleth,  Rulers  of  this  world)  began  to 
give  anfwers  of  Prophecy,  out  of  Images,  made  to 
refemble  mortal  men,  and  by  their  wicked  fubtlety, 
did  pretend  themfelves  fometimes  to  be  of  the 
number  of  good  fpirits,  fometimes  gods  celeftial, 
and  fometimes  the  fouls  of  valiant  Lords:  they 
brought  men  into  fuch  errour  and  perplexity,  that 
in  fhort  fpace  they  did  altogether  alienate  mens 
hearts  from  the  religion  and  reverence  of  the  true 
God.  And  for  as  much  as  their  fpirituall  nature 
is  fubtile,  they  ufurped  the  name  of  good  Angels. 
For   according  to  the   opinion  of  antiquity,    not 


4  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  i. 

onely  to  every  man,  but  alfo  to  every  flngular  place 
and  family,  were  allotted  two  Angels;  Whereof  the 
one  went  about  to  endamage  them ;  the  other  with 
all  its  endeavour,  ftudied  to  profit  them.  Thefe 
invaded  particularly  every  houfe,  conveyed  them- 
felves  into  mens  bodies,  and  clofely  in  their  en- 
trails, imbezelled  their  health,  procured  difeafes, 
illuded  their  hearts  with  phantafticall  vifions  and 
dreams:  and  by  such  mifchief  inforced  men  to 
repair  to  them  for  help,  and  inquire  their  Oracles 
and  anfwers;  which  of  purpofe  had  doubtful  under- 
ftandings,  left  their  ignorance  fhould  be  perceived. 
By  thefe  deceitful  means  they  were  fo  deified,  that 
fundry  people  after  divers  forts  chofe  them  gods, 
and  with  great  reverence  worfhipped  them.  For 
fuch  men  as  a  Nation  had  attained  any  fpeciall 
Commodity  by,  to  the  furtherance  or  garnifhing 
of  their  living,  or  builders  of  Cities,  or  Ladies  ex- 
cellent in  Chaftity,  or  men  puiffant  in  Arms, 
were  honoured  for  gods  ;  as  the  Egyptians  had  Ifts; 
the  AfTyrians,  Neptune;  the  Latines,  F annus ;  the 
Romans,  ^irine;  Athens,  Pallas  :  the  Delphians, 
Apollo;  the  Grecians,  Jupiter;  the  AfTyrians,  Belus^ 
and  many  Countries  had  divers  other  gods;  and 
fome  (which  is  a  fhame  to  fpeak)  worfhipped  brute 
beafts,  and  took  them  for  gods  ;  by  reafon  where- 
of, the  Grecians  had  the  opinion,  That  the  gods 
had  their  beginning  of  men.  And  thus  when  men 
withdrew  their  phantafies  from  Images,  to  the 
fpirits  invifible,  they  were  perfwaded  that  there 
were  many  gods,  and  of  no  fmaller  number  than 
mortal  men. 


Lib.  I.  POLIDORE    VIRGIL.  5 

Of  this  variety  of  opinions,  the  Philofophers 
(which  layed  afide  all  private  and  publique  affairs, 
employing  all  their  fludy  in  fearching  out  the 
truth)  took  occafion  to  difpute  of  the  nature  of 
gods  diverfly.  Shales  Milefius^  which  firft  fearched 
fuch  matters,  faid.  That  God  was  an  Underftanding^ 
that  made  and  fafhioned  all  things  of  the  water, 
as  matter  prejacent.  Pythagoras  called  him,  A 
Lively  Mind^  that  pierced  and  paffed  through  all 
things,  of  v/hom  all  living  creatures  received  their 
life.  And  Cleanthes  defined  God  to  be  T'he  Ayre.. 
Anaxagoras  efleemed  him  to  be  an  Infinite  Mind^ 
which  did  move  it  felf.  Chriftppus  thought  he  was  a 
natural  power,  rndued  with  godly  reafon.  Some 
were  of  the  opinion,  that  there  were  no  gods. 
Diagoras  and  Tkeodorus  affirmed  plain.  That  there 
was  no  God  at  all.  Protagoras  reported.  That  he 
knew  no  certainty  of  the  Gods ;  wherefore  the 
Athenians  banifhed  him  out  of  their  Empire.  Epi- 
curus granted  there  was  a  God  ;  but  one  that  was 
neither  liberal,  bountifull,  nor  had  any  regard  of 
things  :  that  is  to  fay,  God  is  no  God,  but  a  cruel 
and  unkind  Monfter.  Anaximander  fuppofed  the 
gods  to  be  born,  and  not  to  dye,  till  after  many 
ages.  The  Egyptians,  becaufe  of  the  Anceftry  of 
their  linage,  feign  the  gods  to  have  begun  among 
them,  and  that  they  were  but  two,  and  everlafting: 
the  Sun,  whom  they  called  Oftris ;  and  the  Moon, 
that  was  named  Ifts.  Notwithftanding  La^lantius 
writeth.  That  Saturnus  was  the  firft  Father  of  the 
gods,  which  begat  Jupiter,  Juno,  Neptune,  Pluto, 
and  Glauca,  by  his  Wife  Ops.    And  for  the  benefits 


POLIDORE    VIRGIL.  Lib.  i. 


that    they    fhewed    to    their    Subjeds,    they    were 
deified. 

But  in   fuch  variety   of  opinions,   it  is  a  thing 
difficult  to  determine  the  firft  off-fpring  of  their 
gods,    both   becaufe   they    be    but  vain,    and   alfo 
fprung  out  of  'mortal  humanity.     And  again,  to 
fpeak  of  God,  as  he  is  in  his  fupernatural  efTence, 
is  a  thing  dangerous,   becaufe  we  can  neither  be- 
hold  the  refplendent   brightnefle   of  his    Majefty 
with  our  corporall  eyes,  nor  with  any  quickneffe  of 
wit,   comprehend  his  infinite  might,  as  the   Poet 
Symonides  did  declare  very  well:   For  when  he  was 
required  of  King  Hiero,  to  fhew  him  what  thing, 
and  of  what  fort  God  was,   he  defired  to  have  one 
day  refpite ;  when  he  afked  him  the  next  day,   he 
prayed  to  have  two  dayes:    and  as   often   as   the 
King  required  of  him  an  anfwer,  he  increafed  the 
number  of  the   dayes   of  deliberation :   the    King 
marvailing  that  he   doubled   fo   many    times    the 
dayes,  inquired  why  he  did  fo?     For    the   more 
(faid  he)   that  I  confider  the  thing,   and  mufe  on 
it,   the   more  obfcure  and  intricate  it  feemeth  to   i 
mc.     Which  thing  if  the  Philofophers  (which  like  \ 
to    blind  warriours,    wandring  in  darknefTe)    had  | 
done,  they  would  not  have  devifed  fo  many  lies   : 
to  offend  or  difpleafe  their  Creator.      For  it   is  ; 
better  to  be  ignorant  in  the  truth,  than  to  teach  \ 
error.     Therefore  to  conclude  (as  Macrobius  writeth  ; 
There  is  but  one  God,   fubjed  to  no  mutability,   ' 
who  is  One  Eternall  Being,  of  all  naturall  things  :   ; 
the    caufe    principall    who    faith    by    his    Prophet  ; 
EJayy  I  am  God,   before  me   there  was  no  other,  j 

h 
\ 


Lib.  I.  POLIDORE    VIRGIL.  7 

neither  fliall  be  after  me,  without  beginning,  onely 
everlafling,  of  whom  Virgil  writeth  thus. 

Heaven  and  Earthy   and  the  Water  large, 
'The  bright  circle  of  the  heavenly  fphere  : 
'The  Spirit  all  foftereth  :  and  hath  full  charge. 
Faffing  through  all,  to  guide  it  every  where. 

And  Flato  faith.  There  is  but  one  God,  and 
affirmeth  that  this  world  was  created  by  him  ;  and 
was  called  God,  becaufe  he  giveth  freely  to  men,  all 
things  good  and  profitable,  and  is  the  principal 
fountain  of  all  goodnefle  in  this  world. 


CHAP.  II. 


THE    PRINCIPLES    OF    NATURAL    THINGS. 


A 


LTHOUGH  it  had  been  convenient  to  have 
begun  this  prefent  Treatife  with  declaring  the  priji- 
ciples  of  natural  creatures;  and  fo  confequently 
to  have  expounded  the  original  of  the  gods,  foraf- 
much  as  they  have  their  beginning  of  the  fame 
things  :  yet  the  reverence  that  I  have  to  the  true 
God,  which  was  before  all  other  creatures,  moveth 
me  to  begin  at  him,  as  the  cause  principal  of  the 
reft.  Therefore  as  concerning  the  caufes  of  things, 
I  will  ftiew  firft  the  minds  of  the  Philofophers  that 
be  moft  probable,  untill  I  come  to  the  truth  it 
felf.     'ThaleSy  one  of  the  feven  wife  men  of  Greece, 


POLIDORE   VIRGIL. 


Lib.  I. 


o'HP*' 


*:» 


hath  an  opinion,  that  water  was  the  material  caufe 
of  all  things.  Contrariwife,  Heraclitus  an  Epheftan^ 
and  Hippafus  fuppofe  all  to  be  procreated  of  fire. 
Empedocles  faith,  the  four  Elements  were  the  caufes 
of  things,  as  Lucretius  writeth. 

Of  Water^  Earthy  Ayre^  and  fiery  glede : 
All  things  natural  duely  procede. 

Anaximenes  thinketh  all  things  to  have  their 
beginning  of  the  Ayre.  Metrodorus  affirmeth  the 
univerfal  World  to  be  eternal,  without  beginning 
or  end.  Epicurus  one  of  Democritus  difciples,  put- 
teth  two  caufes,  Atomes,  or  Motes,  and  vacuity  or 
emptinefle,  of  thefe  he  faith,  the  four  Elements 
come.  Thefe  are  the  opinions  of  the  Philofo- 
phers,  that  were  men  without  the  knowledge  of 
God :  but  (as  Mqfes  and  Jofephus  record)  the 
Scripture  concludeth  that  in  the  beginning,  God 
made  all  things  of  nothing  ;  as  Saint  John  faith, 
all  things  were  made  by  him.  And  therefore  (as 
La^fantius  writeth)  let  no  man  be  curious  in 
fearching,  of  what  materiall  God  made  thefe  great 
and  wonderfull  works,  for  he  formed  them  all  of 
nothing,  by  the  power  of  his  mighty  word.  For 
as  David  the  Prophet  fingeth,  he  fpake  the  word 
and  they  were  made,  he  gave  Commandement, 
and  they  were  created.  Of  the  fame  opinion  is 
PlatOy  in  his  book  called  T'imeus. 


CHAP.    III. 

THE      PROCREATION    OF    MAN,      THE      DIVERSITY      OF 
LANGUAGES,     AND     DIVISION     OF    NATIONS. 


T 


HE  mofl  famous  writers  of  natural  Hiftorles 
(as  Diodorus  recordeth)  fpake  of  two  fundry  man- 
ners of  birth,  and  firft  flock  of  mankind.  For 
they  which  contend  that  the  World  was  ungener- 
ate,  and  without  any  danger  of  corruption,  fay  alfo 
that  man  hath  been  in  a  certain  perpetuity,  with- 
out beginning.  Of  this  opinion,  were  Pythagoras, 
Arc  hit  as,  Xenocrates,  and  Ariftotle,  with  other 
Peripateticks,  affirming  that  all  things  in  the  eter- 
nal world,  which  have  been,  or  fhall  hereafter  come 
to  pafle,  be  by  Generation  endlefle,  and  without 
beginning,  and  have  onely  a  circuit  and  courfe  of 
Generations,  wherein  both  the  birth,  and  naturall 
refolution  of  things  may  be  perceived.  Other  that 
fuppofe  this  world  had  both  an  Originall  caufe  of 
being,  and  fhall  alfo  end  by  putrifadion,  hold 
opinion  that  man  had  a  time  of  his  Generation. 
For  this  caufe  the  ^Egyptians  report,  that  men 
were  firft  born  among  them,  as  well  by  reafon  of 
the  fruitful  ranknefle  of  the  foil,  and  feafonablenefs 
of  the  Ayre,  and  becaufe  of  the  River  Nilus,  which 
for  the  lufty  fatnefle  of  the  flime,  doth  procreate 
diverfe  kinds  of  beads,  and  hath  in  it  felf  naturally  a 
1 


lo  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  i. 

certain  nutritive  power.  For  in  the  Country  of  7">6^- 
bais  Mice  be  engendred  of  the  mud:  wherefore  men 
in  thofe  part  sftand  in  admiration  when  they  even  be- 
hold the  fore-parts  of  them  to  the  breft,  wallow  and 
move  fenfibly  in  the  mire,  and  the  hinder  partts  not 
yet  fafhioned,  and  without  fhape.  Neverthelefle, 
PJammaticus  their  King,  deiiring  to  know  In  what 
Countrey,  men  were  firft  begotten,  devlfed  this 
means.  He  caufed  two  young  Infants  new  born, 
to  be  delivered  to  his  herdmen,  to  be  brought  up 
among  his  cattell,  and  commanded  that  no  man 
fhould  fpeak  any  word  to  them,  becaufe  he  would 
know  what  word  they  would  fpeak  firft.  Then 
two  years  after,  when  the  herdmen  opened  the  door 
where  they  were  nourlfhed,  they  ftretched  out 
their  hands,  and  cried  Becos^  which  in  the  Phry- 
gians language,  fignifieth  bread.  Thus  it  was 
known  that  the  Phrygians  were  the  eldeft  lineage, 
and  firft  born.  The  Ethiopians  do  conjed:ure  them- 
felves  to  be  the  firft,  becaufe  no  man  would  come 
out  of  any  other  place  into  that  Region,  and  they 
of  that  be  by  a  general  confent,  called  home-bred, 
and  (as  Diodorus  faith)  it  is  probable  that  thofe 
under  the  Meridional  Equator,  ftiould  be  the 
ancienteft  of  all.  For  feeing  the  heat  of  the  Sun 
drieth  up  the  moyfture  of  the  earth,  and  hath  alfo 
of  it  felf,  a  power  to  give  and  preferve  the  life  of 
things,  it  is  like  that  the  place  which  is  fcituate 
neareft  to  the  Sun,  ftiould  bring  forth  the  firft 
living  creatures.  For  that  caufe  Anaximander 
taught,  that  men  firft  fprung  of  water  and  Earth, 
warmed  with  lively  heat.     Empedocles  in  a  manner 


Lib.  I.  POLIDORE    VIRGIL.  ii 

confirmeth  the  fame,  where  he  writeth  that  every 
particular  member  was  feverally  made,  and  pro- 
portioned of  the  Earth  (as  a  mother)  and  fo  to 
have  been  compared,  and  conglutinated  by  heat 
and  moifture  into  the  perfed  figure  and  fhape  of 
a  man. 

Democritus  thinketh  men  were  firft  made  of 
Water  and  Mudde,  tempered  together.  Zeno  ]\xdg- 
eth  the  caufe  of  Mankind  to  have  proceeded  of 
the  New  World.  And  men  to  be  onely  begotten  by 
the  ayd  and  comfort  of  the  divine  fire,  that  is,  the 
providence  of  God.  As  for  the  Poets,  fome  feign, 
how  man  was  made  out  of  foft  clay  by  Prometheus. 
Some  fay,  that  they  fprung  of  the  hard  ftones  that 
Deucalion  and  Pirrha  call:  And  thus  much  is  of 
the  vain  opinions  of  the  Gentiles.  But  to  fpeak 
the  truth,  (as  Scripture  teacheth)  the  beginning  of 
man  was  in  Jewry.  For  God,  when  he  had 
finifhed  the  World,  did  create  the  firft  man,  Adam, 
of  the  Earth  of  the  field  o^  Bamafcus,  as  fome  think. 
Thus  Adam,  made  by  God,  marrying  his  Wife  Eve, 
was  authour,  and  beginner  of  the  whole  Pofterity 
and  Linage.  But  for  as  much  as  God  formed  but 
one  man,  and  indued  him  with  one  kind  of  fpeech 
onely,  to  utter  and  declare  the  things  that  he  con- 
tained in  his  mind :  men  perchance  will  marvail, 
what  the  caufe  ftiould  be,  that  there  be  at  this  day 
fo  many  diverfe  languages,  that  according  to  the 
variety  of  Countries,  there  be  fundry  fpeeches. 
And  therefore  I  thought  it  convenient  to  ftiew  the 
occafion  of  the  fame.  When  Nimrod  the  fon  of 
Cham,  that  was  fon  to  Noe,  after  the  univerfal  floud. 


12  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  i. 

went  about  to  withdraw  men  (which  feared  the 
danger  of  drowning)  from  the  worfhip  of  God, 
fuppofing  all  their  hope  to  confift  in  their  own 
might  and  power,  perfwaded  them  to  build  a 
Tower  of  fuch  altitude,  that  the  water  should  not 
be  able  to  overflow  it.  Whileft  they  were  thus 
earnefl;ly  occupied  about  their  enterprife,  God  divi- 
ded their  fpeeches  in  fuch  fort,  that  not  one  of 
them  could  underfl:and  another,  by  reafon  of  the 
difcord  and  difagreeing  of  their  languages.  And 
thus  began  the  diverfity  of  tongues  that  we  ufe 
now.  The  fame  was  the  occaflon  that  the  pofl:eri- 
ties  of  Noe  were  difperfed  and  fcattered  abroad. 
For  when  one  could  not  underfland  another's 
language,  it  came  to  pafle,  that  every  man  departed 
into  fundry  Provinces  and  Countries,  and  there 
named  places,  whereof  they  had  the  government ; 
and  alfo  Cities,  which  they  builded,  after  their  own 
names,  as  Eufebius  teftifieth.  The  fonnes  of  Noe 
were  Sem,  Cham,  and  Japhet.  The  ifl"ue  of  Sem  was 
Elam,  whereof  the  Elamites  came.  AJfur,  of  whom 
the  AfTyrians  were  named.  Arphaxad  was  the 
firfl:  founder  of  the  Arabians,  and  Lud  of  the  Lid- 
ians:  the  children  of  Cham  were  Chus,  that  named 
the  Ethiopians;  and  Me/re  the  beginner  of  the 
Egyptians.  Chanaan,  of  whom  the  Canaanites  had 
their  name:  the  linage  of  Chus  was  Seba,  whereof 
the  Sebees  came;  and  Evila,  of  whom  came  the 
Evelites.  And  femblably  we  mufl  believe,  that  of 
them  came  all  other  Nations  and  people  of  the 
world,  which  be  now  in  fo  great  number,  that  they 
cannot  eafily  be  numbred. 


CHAP.  IV. 

THE   BEGINNING  OF  MARRIAGE,   AND  SUNDRY 
RITES  OF  THE    SAME.       . 


G 


OD,  after  that  he  had  fully  accomplifhed, 
and  perfedly  created  the  world,  and  when  all  the 
creatures  therein  were  in  their  kind  confummate, 
(as  Mofes  teacheth)  he  made  man  laft  of  all,  to  be 
Lord  and  Sovereign  of  the  whole  body  of  the 
world,  as  one  to  whom  all  his  work  fhould  be  fub- 
jed,  becaufe  he  was  fafhioned  after  his  own  likenefle. 
And  left  fo  worthy  a  creature  Ihould  by  death 
perifh,  or  the  world  might  want  his  governour  and 
ruler,  it  pleafed  him  to  make  woman  out  of  the 
body  of  man,  and  fo  with  the  bond  of  Matrimony* 
combined  them  together,  that  they  fhould  not  live 
after  the  manner  of  brute  beafts  :  therefore  hath 
God  joyned  Adam  and  Eve  in  Marriage  in  Paradife, 
before  they  knew  fin,  that  by  the  congreffion  and 
company  of  thefe  two  fexes,  and  kinds,  their  iftue 
might  be  enlarged,  and  fo  replenifh  the  whole 
World.  In  this  fort  was  Matrimony  inftituted, 
albeit  antiquity  feigneth  Cecrops  King  of  the  Athe- 
nians to  have  ordeyned  Matrimony,  for  which  caufe, 
he  was  reported  to  have  had    two    faces.     But    all 


14  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  i. 

Countreyes  did  not  enter  like  bond  of  Matrimony, 
neither  kept  it  after  one  fafhion.  For  the  Numid- 
ianSy  Egyptians^  Indians^  Hebrews^  Perfians^  Par- 
thianSy  Thracians,  and  aim  oft  all  the  Barbarians  ^ 
every  one  according  to  his  fubflance  married  Wives, 
fome  ten,  fome  more.  The  Scythian,  the  Stoicks,  and 
Athenians,  ufed  their  children  and  wives  in  common, 
and  copulated  with  them  abroad  openly  like  beads. 
The  Mejfagites  married  every  one  a  wife,  but  they 
ufed  them  commonly.  Among  the  Arabians  it  is 
the  manner,  that  all  Kinfmen  fhould  have  but  one 
wife,  and  he  that  came  to  meddle  with  her,  fhould 
fet  his  ftaff  at  the  doore  ;  for  their  cuftome  was  to 
bear  a  ftaff,  albeit  fhe  lay  every  night  by  the  eldeft, 
by  this  means  they  were  all  brethren.  An  Adul- 
terer was  there  condemned  to  death,  which  was 
perceived  by  this,  if  he  were  of  another  family  or 
kindred.  Where  chanced  on  a  time  a  ftrange  thing, 
worthy  to  be  had  in  memory,  there  was  a  certain 
Kings  daughter  of  excellent  beauty ;  which  had 
fifteen  brethern,  that  loved  her  all  intirely  well, 
and  ufed  one  after  another,  to  refort  to,  and  keep 
company  with  her :  fhe  began  by  fuch  daily  dalli- 
ance, to  be  weary  of  their  wanton  company,  and 
devifed  this  feat,  fhe  prepared  flaves  like  her 
brothers  flaves,  and  by  and  by  as  one  was  gone, 
fhe  fet  a  flaffat  the  door  like  to  his,  and  by  that 
deceit,  the  other,  when  they  came  to  the  door, 
fuppofing  one  to  be  within,  preffed  no  further,  and 
it  fortuned  on  a  day  when  they  were  all  together 
in  the  Court,  one  of  them  departed  from  the  other, 
and  repaired  to  her  houfe,  and  when  he  efpyed  a 


Lib.  I.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL  15 

flaff  at  the  gate,  thinking  it  to  be  fome  Adulterer, 
for  he  was  affured  that  he  left  his  brethren  in  the 
Court,  he  ran  to  his  father  and  accufed  his  fifter 
of  Adultery  ;  but  when  the  matter  was  known,  it 
was  perceived  that  he  had  falfly  ilandered  her. 
The  AJJyrians  and  the  Babylonians  bought  their 
wives  in  open  Market  at  a  common  price,  which 
cuftome  among  the  Saracens  and  Arabians  yet  ftill 
remaineth.  When  the  Nazamones  were  firft  mar- 
ried, they  ufed  to  fuifer  their  wives  to  lie  the  firft 
night  with  all  her  guefts,  in  the  worship  of  Venus ; 
and  from  thenceforth  they  kept  themfelves  chafte, 
and  pure  of  living.  A  certain  people  of  the 
Carthaginians,  which  border  on  Mgypt,  were  wont 
to  offer  fuch  maidens  as  fhould  be  married,  to  the 
King  of  that  Region,  to  deflour  whom  it  pleafed 
him.  In  Scotland  alfo  the  ufage  was  that  the  Lord 
of  the  foyl  fhould  lye  with  the  bride  before  her 
husband :  but  for  fo  much  as  it  was  unfitting  to  be 
frequented  among  Chriflians,  their  King  Malcolme, 
the  third  of  that  name,  about  the  year  of  our 
Lord,  M.  X  C  I  X.  did  abolifh  that  beaflly  abomi- 
nation, and  ordained  that  every  maid  fhould  give 
the  Lord  for  the  redemption  of  her  maidenhead,  a 
Crown  of  Gold.  Somepeople  lived  fingle,  ascertain 
Nations  called  Cm/^  and  £^^w  among  the  Hebrews, 
which  did  abhor  the  calamities  and  troubles  in  mar- 
riage. Wedlock  was  observed  fincerely  and  rever- 
ently of  the  i^d?;;/^^;?^^,  till  Divorcement  began;  which 
although  it  be  an  occafion  that  Women  fhould 
more  earneftly  keep  their  chaftity,  yet  our  Religion 
doth  scarcely  permit  it.     One  Spurius  Servilius,  the 


i6  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  i. 

year  after  the  City  was  founded  522.  {Marcus 
PomponiuSy  and  Caius  Papirius  being  Confuls)  firft 
fued  a  Divorce  from  his  Wife,  becaufe  fhe  was  bar- 
ren :  for  which  fid,  although  he  affirmed  openly 
before  the  Cenfors  that  he  did  it  only  becaufe 
he  would  have  iflue,  yet  he  was  evil  fpoken  of 
among  the  common  fort.  This  decree  of  divorc- 
ing was  taken  out  of  the  Laws  of  Mqfes,  which 
made  the  firft  conftitution  of  that  ftatute;  yet  was 
there  this  difference.  For  by  Mofes  it  was  onely 
lawfull  for  the  Husband  to  forfake  his  Wife;  but 
the  Romans  decree  gave  them  both  like  liberty, 
manner  was,  that  two  children  Ihould  lead  the  Bride, 
The  Rites  of  Marriage  were  divers  in  Rome;  the 
and  another  bear  a  Torch  before  her  of  white-thorn, 
in  worfhip  of  Ceres:  that  like  as  fhe  with  fruits  of 
the  earth  doth  nourifh  men;  fo  the  new  bride  like 
an  houfwife,  Ihould  bring  up  her  children.  Which 
manner  is  ufed  in  England^  faving  that  inftead  of 
the  Torch,  there  is  born  here  a  cup  of  Silver  or 
Gold  before  them.  A  Garland  alfo  of  Corn-eares 
was  fet  on  her  head  ;  or  elfe  fhe  bare  it  in  her  hand, 
or  if  that  were  not,  when  fhe  came  home,  wheat 
was  fcatered  abroad  over  her  head  in  betokening  of 
plenty  and  fruitfullneffe. 

Alfo  before  fhe  came  to  bed  to  her  Husband, 
Fire  and  water  were  given  her,  which  have  power 
to  purify  and  cleanfe;  fignifying  thereby  that  fhe 
fhould  be  chafte  and  honeft  of  her  body.  There 
were  befides  thefe,  divers  Rites  which  I  omit.  The 
maids  of  Greece  and  Rome  {a.s  it  may  appear  by 
Homer  and  Catullus)  were  ufually  accuftomed  to  gird 


Lib.  I.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL  17 

their  Privity  with  a  lace,  or  fwathel,  till  the  day  of 
their  Marriage.  The  Bride  anointed  the  pofts  of 
the  doors  with  fwines  greafe,  becaufe  fhe  thought 
by  that  means  to  drive  away  all  misfortune,  where- 
of fhe  had  her  name  in  Latine.  Neither  might  fhe 
flep  over  the  threfhold,  but  mufl  be  born  over,  to 
declare  that  fhe  lofeth  her  Virginity  unwillingly, 
with  many  other  fuperftitious  ceremonies,  which  be 
too  long  to  rehearfe. 


CHAP.   V. 


THE    INSTITUTION  OF  RELIGION,  AND  WHO  WORSHIP-  | 

PED  GODS   FIRST  WITH   SACRIFICE.  | 


I 


T  is  no  doubt  but  men  which  at  the  firfl  without 
any  Governour,  led  a  barbarous  and  rude  manner 
of  life,  did  highly  advance  their  firfl  Kings  honour 
and  prayfes ;  and  by  the  perfwafion  of  the  Devil, 
either  for  their  wonderfull  courage  and  vertue,  or 
to  flatter  the  condition  of  their  dignity,  or  for  fome 
fpecial  benefit  that  they  received  by  them,  magnified 
them  as  gods.  Whereby  it  came  to  pafTe,  that 
Kings,  being  well-beloved  of  their  people,  left  a 
fervent  memorial  of  themfelves  among  their  fubjeds 
and  poflerity ;  by  reafon  whereof  men  made  Images 
of  them,  to  take  a  comfortable  pleafure  of  the  be- 
holding of  them :   Afterward  becaufe  to  encourage 

3 


1 8  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  i. 

men  to  vertue  and  chevalry,  they  reverenced  them 
as  gods,  for  every  valiant  courage  would  with  more 
alacrity  enterprife  dangerous  adventures  for  the 
common-weal,  when  they  perceived  the  noble  ad:s 
of  worthy  and  puifTant  men,  to  be  recompenfed 
with  honour  and  laud  of  the  immortal  Gods.  Thus 
Temples  began  firft  to  be  builded,  and  fervice  of 
the  gods  to  be  performed,  by  the  ordinance  of 
MeliJTus,  in  the  time  of  Jupiter,  or  not  long  before. 
Yet  that  the  true  and  certain  original  may  be 
abfolutely  known,  let  us  appoint  the  cuftome  of 
idolatry,  to  have  begun  in  the  time  of  Belus  King 
of  the  AJJyrians,  which  reigned  in  the  3180  year  of 
the  world  whom  the  Babylonians  firfl  worfhipped  for 
a  God,  and  fet  up  an  Image  of  him:  and  therefore 
they  that  think  Idolatry  hath  endured  from  the 
beginning  of  the  World,  are  deceived.  Herodotus 
faith,  that  the  Egyptians  firft  builded  Altars,  Tem- 
ples, Images,  and  offered  facrifice  to  the  gods,  and 
after  taught  them  to  ftrangers :  Some  fuppofe  that 
Mercury  ftiewed  with  what  ceremonies  gods  ftiould 
be  honoured.  Some  fay,  it  was  devifed  by  King 
Numa  Pompilius. 

Diodorus  thinketh  that  the  Ethiopians  did  inftitute 
the  Rites  of  facrificing  to  the  gods,  which  thing 
Homer  in  his  Iliad  witnefleth,  where  he  telleth  how 
Jupiter  and  the  other  gods  went  into  Ethiopia  to 
the  oblations  that  were  cuftomably  made  there, 
and  alfo  repaired  thither  to  be  cherifhed  with  the 
fragrant  odours,  that  perfumed  the  facrifices.  And 
the  Ethiopians  received  this  reward  of  their  holinefle ; 
that  they  ihould  never  be  conquered,  but  ever  live 


Lib.  I.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  19 

in  liberty,  without  any  bondage.  LaElantius  affirm- 
eth,  that  Melijfus  King  of  Greet  did  firft  facrifice, 
and  ordeined  other  folemn  rites  in  the  ceremonies 
of  their  gods.  In  Italy,  Janus  and  his  fon  F annus 
appointed  facrifices  to  Saturn;  and  after  them  King 
Numa  fet  up  a  new  Religion. 

Cadmus  out  of  Venice,  and  Orpheus  out  of  Thrace, 
brought  firft  into  Greece  the  myfteries,  folemnities, 
dedicating  of  Images,  and  Hymns  of  their  gods. 

Albeit,  Herodotus  faith  that  Gecrops  King  of 
Athens  tranfported  all  fuch  conftitutions  and  ordi- 
nances out  of  Egypt  into  Greece,  and  firft  invocated 
Jupiter,  founded  Images,  fet  up  Altars,  and  offered 
facrifices,  that  .were  never  feen  before  in  Greece. 
But  to  God  Almighty,  whom  we  Chriftians  honour 
and  ferve.  Gain  and  Abel  firft  offered;  and  Enos 
firft  called  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord. 


CHAP  VI. 

WHO    FOUND    THE    LETTERS,   AND   THE  NUMBER 
OF    THEM. 


L 


ETTERS,  wherein  is  conteined  the  treafure  of 
knowledg,  and  by  whom  things  notable  be  pre- 
ferved  in  frefh  remembrance,  after  the  opinion 
of  Diodorus,  were  found  by  Mercury  in  Egypt,  yet 
fome  fay  one  Menon  an  Egyptian  devifed  them :  but 


20  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  i. 

inftead  of  the  letters  they  of  Egypt  ufed  to  fignify 
and  declare  the  intents  and  conceits  of  their  minds 
by  the  figures  of  beafls,  Fifhes,  Fowls,  and  Trees. 
Pliny  faith,  he  thought  that  the  AJfyrians  excogita- 
ted the  letters  which  Cadmus  brought  out  of  Phoe- 
nice  into  Greece^  which  were  but  i6  in  number. 
Abcdegilmnoprstv.  to  thefe  Palamedes  added 
in  the  battel  of  Troy  other  four,  viz.  ^^cpv.  Simon- 
ides  found  as  many,  viz.  \t,rico.  Whofe  power  is 
contained  in  our  letters.  Ariftotk  faith  there  were 
1 8,  of  the  old,  viz.  a^yht^Lx'kfivonQGTVCf^ 
and  that  Epicarmus  put  to  the  other  two,  Q  and  iv. 
Hermolaus  is  fuppofed  to  have  added  y.  Herodotus 
writeth,  how  that  the  Phenicians  that  came  with 
Cadmus  to  inhabite  Thebes,  brought  letters  into 
Greece,  which  were  never  feen  in  ufe  there  before- 
time.  Some  think  the  Mthiopians  invented  them, 
and  then  taught  them  to  the  Egyptians,  that  were 
one  of  their  Provinces.  But  Eumolphus  telleth 
unfainediy  that  the  beginning  of  letters  did  pro- 
ceed of  Mojes,  which  reigning  long  before  Cadmus 
dayes,  taught  the  Jews  the  letters,  and  thence  the 
Phoenicians  received  them,  and  the  Greeks  learned 
of  them.  Which  thing  is  conformable  to  the  fay- 
ing of  Pliny  before  rehearfed :  for  Jury  is  a  part  of 
Syria,  and  the  Jews  be  Syrians.  NeverthelefTe  I 
find  by  Jojephus  that  writing  was  before  Noe  s  floud, 
for  the  fons  of  Seth  wrote  in  two  Pillars,  one  of 
brick  and  another  of  flone,  the  Science  of  Aftron- 
omy;  whereof  that  of  flone,  in  the  time  of  Jojephus 
remained  in  Syria.  Philo  afcribeth  the  invention  of 
them  to  Abraham,  which  was   elder    than    Mojes, 


Lib.  I.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  21 

albeit  I  had  rather  afTign  to  Seths  children,  the  begin- 
ning of  writing.  As  for  the  Hebrew  letters  which 
be  now,  according  to  Saint  Jeromes  opinion,  were 
but  newly  invented,  and  devifed  by  EJdras:  for  be- 
fore that  time  the  Hebrews  and  Samarites  ufed  all 
one  Chara6ters. 

The  old  Greek  letters  were  the  fame  that  the 
Romans  ufe  now,  as  P/Z/ry  conjedureth  by  a  certain 
brafTe  Table  that  came  from  Delphos^  which  was 
dedicated  and  hanged  up  in  a  Library  in  the  Tem- 
ple of  Minerva  at  Rome  in  his  time.  They  were 
brought  into  Italy  by  Evander^  and  the  Arcadians 
which  came  into  Italy  to  inhabit  there,  as  Ovid 
telleth  in  his  book  Defaftis. 

The  Hetrurians  had  alfo  a  form  of  letters  by 
themfelves,  wherein  the  youth  of  Rome  was  in- 
ftrudted,  as  well  as  in  the  Greek  letters,  which  one 
Demeratus  a  Corinthian  taught  the  Hetrurians.  And 
like  as  the  Grecians  had  enlarged  the  number  of 
their  letters,  fo  the  Italians  following  their  example, 
put  to  theirs,  f  k  q  x  y  z  h.  which  h  is  no  letter,  but 
a  fign  of  afpiration :  /  they  received  of  the  Molians^ 
which  both  among  the  old  Romanies  and  jEolians  had 
the  fame  found  and  pronuntiations  that  p.  with  an 
afpiration  hath,  which  we  ufe  in  writing  Greek 
words.  And  afterward  Claudius  C^far,  as  ^in- 
tilian  writeth,  appointed  that  it  fhould  be  taken  in 
the  place  of  v.  confonant,  2ls  fulgus  for  vulgus^fixit 
for  vixit;  And  even  fo  our  Englijh  men  ufe  to 
fpeak  in  EJfex,  for  they  fay  Fineger  for  Vineger, 
Feal  for  Veal,  and  contrariwife,  a  Vox  for  a  Fox, 
vour  for  four:     And  in  procefTe  of  time  it  was  ufed 


22  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  i. 

for  ph.  in  Latin  words,  k.  was  borrowed  of  the 
Greeks^  but  no  good  Authour  ufeth  it  in  writing 
Latine.  q  was  added  becaufe  it  hath  a  groffer  found 
than  c.  The  letter  x.  we  had  alfo  out  of  Greece, 
although  (as  ^«/«//7/^«  judgeth)  we  might  well  for- 
bear it,  for  af  much  that  they  ufed  for  it  either  c  s 
or  g  s.  Likewife  y  and  z,  were  fent  from  the 
Grecians y  and  be  ufed  of  us  onely  to  write  Greek 
words. 


N 


CHAP.  VII. 


THE   INVENTION  OF  GRAMMER. 


EXT  the  Letters,  the  invention  of  grammer 
ordinarily  fucceeds,  both  becaufe  it  is  the  foun- 
dation and  ground  whereon  all  other  Sciences  reft: 
and  alfo  forafmuch  as  it  taketh  the  name  of  letters; 
For  Gramma  in  Greek  fignifieth  a  Letter  in  Engli/h. 
Grammar  is  an  Art  that  doth  confift  in  fpeaking 
and  writing  without  fault,  fo  that  every  word  have 
his  due  letters,  and  (as  ^intilian  fuppofeth,  is 
divided  into  two  parts:  the  way  to  fpeak  con- 
gruoufly,  and  declaring  of  Poets.  As  Tully  writeth, 
there  is  required  in  Grammarians,  the  declaration  of 
Poets,  the  knowledg  of  Hiftories,  expofition  of 
words,  and  a  certain  utterance  of  pronunciation. 
It  had  the  beginning  of  marking  and  obferving 


Lib.  I.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  z^ 

what  was  moft  fit  or  unfitting  in  communication, 
which  thing  men  counterfeiting  in  their  fpeech, 
made  this  Art,  even  as  Rhetorick  was  perceived. 
For  it  is  the  duty  both  of  Grammarians,  and 
Oratours  to  have  a  regard  and  refped:,  how  to  fpeak. 
Hermippus  faith  that  Epicurus  firft  taught  the  Art  of 
Grammer,  and  Plato  efpyed  and  perceived  firft  the 
commodity  and  profit  of  it.  In  Rome^  it  was 
nothing  efteemed  till  one  Crates  Malotes  was  fent 
by  King  Attains  to  the  Senate  to  teach  it  between 
the  fecond  and  third  battels  of  Punicks,  a  little  be- 
fore the  death  of  Ennius  the  Poet.  It  is  of  all 
other  Sciences  the  moft  fpecial,  for  it  ftieweth  a 
means  to  attain  all  the  reft  of  the  liberall  Sciences. 
Neither  can  a  man  come  or  attain  to  any  excellency 
in  any  Art,  unlefle  he  have  firft  his  principles  of 
Grammer,  perfectly  known,  and  throughly  per- 
ceived. 

Therefore  in  old  time  Grammarians  were  called 
•judges  and  allowers  of  all  other  writers,  and  for 
that  caufe  they  were  called  Critici. 

In  this  excelled  Didymus,  and  Antonius  Enipho, 
whofe  School  Marcus  Cicero  reforted  unto  divers 
times  after  his  affairs  of  the  Law  were  ended :  Nigi- 
dius  Figulus,  Marcus  Varro,  Marcus  Valerius  Probus, 
and  the  arrogant  Palemon,  with  many  other  of  the 
Greeks,  Arijiarchus,  Arijlotle,  and  Theodoces  were 
chief. 


CHAP.  VIII. 

OF      POETRY,      AND      METER,      AND      SUNDRY      KINDS 
OF    THE    SAME. 

X  OETRY  is  a  goodly  Art:  as  well  becaufe  no 
other  difcipline  can  be  perceived,  except  a  man 
ftudy  it  vehemently,  for  it  comprehendeth  all 
other  fciences :  as  for  that,  where  other  faculties 
be  devifed  by  the  pregnance,  of  mans  wit,  this 
art  onely  is  given  of  nature  by  a  divine  infpiration, 
without  which  Democritus  affirmeth  there  could 
never  be  excellent  Poets :  for  it  proceedeth  not 
of  Arts  and  Precepts,  but  of  a  naturall  infpira- 
tion, and  fpiritual  power.  And  therefore  Ennius 
called  Poets  holy,  becaufe  they  be  by  a  fpecial 
prerogative  commended  and  praifed  to  us  of  God. 
The  beginning  of  this  art  is  very  ancient,  and,  as 
Eujebius  faith,  it  flourifhed  firft  among  the  Hebrews, 
that  were  long  before  the  Greeks.  For  Mofes  the 
great  Captain  of  the  Jews,  what  time  he  led  them 
out  o^  JEgypt  into  the  land  of  promife,  pafTmg  the 
red  Sea,  which  by  the  power  of  God  gave  place  to 
them,  infpired  by  the  holy  Ghoft,  made  a  fong  of 
Hexameter  Verfes,  to  render  thanks  to  God  for 
that  benefit. 


Lib.  I.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  25 

And  David  the  holy  Prophet  of  God,  after  he 
was  difpatched  of  all  his  affairs  in  war,  and  efcaped 
the  aflaults  and  dangers  of  treafon,  living  in  great 
peace,  devifed  many  pleafant  tunable  Hymns,  for 
the  praife  of  God  in  fundry  kinds  of  Meter.  For 
as  Saint  Jerome  faith,  the  Pfalter  of  David  goeth 
in  as  good  number  and  meafures,  as  either  the 
Greek  Planudes,  or  the  Latine  Horatius :  fome- 
time  in  Alcaus  number,  fometime  in  the  Metre 
of  Sappho^  fometime  with  half  meafures.  What  is 
goodlier  then  the  fong  of  Mofes  in  Deuteronomy, 
and  of  IJaiah  ?  more  ancient  then  Solomon  ?  more 
perfect  then  Job?  We  may  worthily  afcribe  the 
invention  of  it  to  the  Hebrews  :  but  indeed  Or- 
pheus and  Linus,  and  after  them.  Homer  and  Heji- 
odus  did  firft  polifh  and  adorn  the  Art  with  all 
kind  of  Furniture.  The  Romans  received  it  not 
till  of  latter  time ;  for  Levius  Andronicus  (as  T^ully 
writeth)  in  the  513  year  after  the  City  was  builded, 
{Caius  Claudius  Cento,  and  Marcus  T'uditanus  being 
Confuls)  fet  forth  the  firft  enterlude  or  fable,  a 
year  before  Ennius  was  born.  Before  thofe  dayes, 
it  was  had  in  fuch  defpite,  that  if  one  had  profefled 
himfelf  to  be  a  Poet,  he  was  fuppofed  to  be  as 
bad  as  a  murtherer.  The  beginner  of  Meter  was 
the  true  God,  which  proportioned  the  world ; 
with  all  the  contents  of  the  fame,  with  a  certain 
order  as  it  were  a  Meter  :  for  there  is  none  (as 
Pythagoras  taught)  that  doubteth,  but  that  there 
is  in  things  Heavenly  and  Earthly,  a  kind  of 
harmony ;  and  unlefle  it  were  governed  with  a 
formal  concord  and  defcribed-number,  how  could 

5 


26  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  i. 

it  long,  continue  ?  All  other  inftruments,  that  we 
occupy,  be  all  falhoncd  by  a  manner  of  meafure. 
And  Diodorus  afligneth  the  invention  of  Meter, 
which  the  Poets  by  a  fpirituall  influence  ufed  in 
their  works,  to  Jupiter^  as  to  Almighty  God. 

Of  Meters  there  be  divers  kinds  that  have  their 
name,  either  of  the  thing  that  is  defcribed  therein, 
(as  heroical  Meter  is  fo  called  of  the  Wars  of 
noble  men  that  be  conteined  in  it)  wherein  alfo 
Apollo  gave  his  Oracles,  therefore  Pliny  faith  we 
have  that  Meter  o{  Pythius  Oracle;  or  of  the  in- 
ventour  as  MJclepiadical;  or  of  the  quantity  of 
Jambus^  becaufe  it  flandeth  of  a  fhort  and  a  long, 
which  Archilocus  found  firft,  of  the  number  of  feet, 
as  Hexameter  and  Pentameter^  which  is  alfo  called 
Elegiacal,  the  Ihepheards  fong,  Daphnis,  the  fon 
of  Mercury  found":  and  other  devifed  other  fongs, 
which  I  let  paffe,  for  my  purpofe  is  onely  to  fpeak 
of  the  Inventers  of  the  Meter,  and  not  to  perfecute 
the  particulars. 


CHAP.  IX. 


THE      BEGINNING     OF     THE     TRAGEDIES, 

SATYRES,     AND     NEW    COMEDIES. 

T 

X  RAGEDIES  and  Comedies,  had  their  begin- 
ning of  the  oblations,  (as  Diodorus  writeth)  which 
in  old  time  men  devoutly  ofler'd  for  their  fruits 


Lib.  I.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  27 

to  Bacchus.  For  as  the  Altars  were  kindled  with 
fire,  and  the  Goat  layed  on  it,  the  Quire  in  honour 
of  Bacchus,  ^^^%  this  Meter  called  a  Tragedy.  It 
was  named  fo,  either  becaufe  a  Goat,  which  in 
Greek  is  called  Tragos,  was  the  reward  appointed 
for  him  that  was  Author  of  the  Song,  or  becaufe  a 
Goat,  which  is  noyfome  to  the  Vines,  whereof 
Bacchus  was  firfl:  inventour,  was  Sacrificed  to  Liber: 
Or  of  the  grounds  or  dregs,  which  in  Greek  is 
called  Tryx,  with  the  which  ftage-players  ufed  to 
paint  their  face,  before  that  Efchylus  devifed  Vifards. 
The  beginner  of  them,  after  the  mind  of  Horace, 
was  The/pis,  albeit,  ^intilianus  faith,  Efchylus  fet 
forth  firft  open  Tragedies  before  any  other,  Sophocles 
and  Euripides  did  furnifh  them  more  gallantly.  In 
Rome  Livius  Andronicus  made  the  firft  Tragedy, 
wherein  Accius,  Paccuvius,  Ouidius,  and  Seneca  ex- 
celled. The  Comedies  began  what  time  (the 
Athenians  being  not  yet  aflembled  into  the  City) 
the  youth  of  that  country,  ufed  to  fing  folemn 
verfes  at  feafts,  abroad  in  the  Villages  and  High 
wayes,  for  to  get  money:  they  were  fo  named  of 
the  Greek  word  Comos,  for  a  Banquetting,  or  Come 
a  ftreet,  and  Ode  a  fong.  Yet  it  is  uncertain  among 
the  Grecians  who  found  it  firft.  In  this  kind  of 
writing,  Aristophanes,  Eupolis,  and  Cratinus  bare 
the  price :  of  the  Romans,  Livius  Andronicus  found 
it  firft.  In  a  Tragedy  noble  perfonages,  as  Lords, 
Dukes,  Kings  and  Emperours  be  brought  in,  with 
an  high  ftyle.  In  a  Comedy,  amorous  dalliance, 
matters  of  love,  and  deflouring  of  maidens  be 
conteined.      Heavinefle  is  appropried  unto  a  Tra- 


28  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  i. 

gedy,  and  therefore,  when  King  Archelaus  defired 
Euripides^  to  write  a  Tragedy  of  him,  he  denyed  it, 
wifhing  that  never  fuch  thing  fhould  chance  to  him, 
as  fhould  be  worthy  of  Tragedy;  for  it  hath  ever  a 
miferable  end,  and  a  Comedy  hath  a  joyfull  end.  A 
Satyre  is  a  Poefy,  rebuking  vices  fharply,  not  regard- 
ing any  perfons.  There  be  two  kinds  of  Satyres; 
the  one,  which  was  both  among  the  Greeks  and  Ro- 
mans, of  antient  time  ufed,  for  the  diverfity  of 
Meters  much  like  a  Comedy,  faving  that  it  is  more 
wanton.  Demetrius  of  Tharjus  and  one  Menippus  a 
bondsman,  whom  Marcus  Varro  did  counterfeit,  were 
writes  in  this  kind.  The  fecond  manner  of  Satyres 
is  very  railing,  onely  ordeined  to  rebuke  vice,  and 
devifed  of  the  Romans,  upon  this  occafion.  When 
the  Poets,  that  wrote  the  old  Comedies,  ufed  to 
handle  for  their  arguments  not  onely  feigned  mat- 
ters, but  alfo  things  done  indeed,  which  although  at 
the  firft,  it  was  tollerable,  yet  afterwards  it  fortuned 
by  reafon  that  they  inveighed  fo  liberally,  and  largely 
at  their  pleafure,  againft  every  man  that  there  was  a 
law  made,  that  no  man  fhould  from  thenceforth,  re- 
prehend a*ny man  byname.  Then  the  Romans  in  the 
place  of  thofe  Comedies,  subftituted  fuch  Satyres, 
as  they  had  newly  imagined.  Then  alfo  began  the 
new  Comedy,  which  concerneth  generally  all  men 
of  mean  eftate  :  and  hath  leffe  bitterneffe  and  rail- 
ing, but  more  pleafantnefTe  and  paftime  for  the 
auditors.  Of  this  Menander  and  Philemon  were 
Authors,  which  affwaged  all  the  crabbednefTe  of  the 
old  writings.  Of  them  Cicilius,  Nevius;  Plautus^ 
and  Terentius^   learned   to   compile   Comedies,    al- 


Lib.  I. 


POLIDORE  VIRGIL. 


29 


though  (as  §uintilian  faith)  they  never  attained  to 
the  leaft  proportion  of  their  Patrons,  becaufe  the 
Latine  Tongue  is  not  fo  fit  to  receive  the  orna- 
ments of  Eloquence,  as  the  Greek  Tongue  is.  The 
Satyres  had  the  name  of  Barbarian  gods  that  were 
rude,  lafcivious,  and  wanton  of  behaviour.  In  this 
form  of  writing  Lucilius^  Horacius^  Perfius^  Juvenal^ 
obtained  great  fame  and  praife. 


CHAP.    X. 


H 


THE    DEVISERS    OF    HISTORIES,     PROSE 
AND    RHETORICK. 


ISTORIES,  of  all  other  Writings,  be  moft 
commendable,  becaufe  it  informeth  all  forts  of 
people,  with  notable  examples  of  living,  and  doth 
excite  Noble-men  to  infue  fuch  adivity  in  enter- 
prifes,  as  they  read  to  have  been  done  by  their 
Anceflors ;  and  alfo  difcourageth  and  dehorteth 
wicked  perfons  from  attempting  of  any  hainous 
deeds  or  crime,  knowing,  that  fuch  ads  fhall  be 
regiftred  in  perpetual  memory,  to  the  praife  or 
reproach  of  the  doers,  according  to  the  defert  of 
their  endeavours.  Pliny  writeth.  That  Cadmus 
Milefius  firft  wrote  Hiftories  among  the  Grecians, 
which  contained  the  adions  of  Cyrus  King  of 
Perfia.      Albeit,   Jofephus  fuppofeth  it  to  be  made 


30  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  i. 

probable,  that  Hiftorles  were  begun  by  the  old 
Writers  of  the  Hebrews;  as  in  the  time  o^  MofeSy 
which  wrote  the  lives  of  many  of  the  eldeft  Hebrews, 
and  the  creation  of  the  World:  or  elfe  to  the  Priefts 
of  Egypt  and  Babylon.  For  the  Egyptians  and 
Babylonians,  have  been  of  longeft  continuane  very 
diligent;  in  fetting  forth  things  in  writing;  info- 
much  that  their  Priefts  were  appointed  for  that 
purpofe,  of  putting  in  writing  fuch  things  as  were 
worthy  to  be  had  in  memory.  As  concerning  the 
firft  writers  of  Profe,  I  cannot  hold  with  Pliny^ 
which  faith,  Pherefides,  a  Syrian,  wrote  firft  Profe, 
in  the  time  of  King  Cyrus.  For  it  is  no  doubt, 
but  he  that  wrote  Iliftories,  wrote  alfo  Profe  firft  ; 
and  Phereftdes  was  long  after  Mqfes^  which  was  688 
years  before  Joatham  King  of  the  Jews.  In  whofe 
time  the  Olympiads  began;  and  this  Pherejides  (as 
Eusebius  writeth)  was  but  in  the  firft  Olympiad. 
Of  the-  Grecians,  Xenophon,  Thucydides,  Herodotus, 
^heopompus,  flourifhed  moft  in  writing  Hiftories. 
Of  the  Romans  ;  'Titus  Livius,  and  Caius  Crifpius 
Salujiius,  with  divers  other,  were  had  in  high 
eftimation.  Before  that  time  they  ufed  Annals  or 
Chronicles,  which  contained  onely  the  adions  and 
fads  of  every  day  feverally.  The  firft  oflice  of  an 
Hiftoriographer,  is  to  write  no  lye.  The  fecond, 
that  he  fhall  conceal  no  truth  for  favour,  difpleafure 
or  fear.  The  perfection  of  an  Hiftory,  refteth  in 
matter  and  words.  The  order  of  the  matter  re- 
quireth  obfervance  of  times,  defcriptions  of  places, 
the  manners  and  lives  of  men,  their  behaviours, 
purpofes,  occafions,  deeds,   fayings,   cafualties,  at- 


Lib.  I.  POLIDORE    VIRGIL.  31 

chievings,  and  finifhing  of  things.  The  tenour  of 
the  words  afketh  a  brief  perfpicuity  and  fincere 
truth,  with  moderate  and  peaceable  ornaments. 

We  may  be  fure,  that  by  and  by  after  men  were 
formed,  they  received  of  God  the  ufe  of  fpeech, 
wherein  when  they  perceived  fome  words  to  be 
profitable,  and  fome  hurtfull  in  uttering  of  them  ; 
they  appointed  and  compiled  an  art  of  fpeech,  or 
communication,  called  Rhetorick.  Which  (as  Dio- 
dorus  faith) was  invented  by  Mercury  :  but  Ariftotle 
affirmeth,  that  Empedocles  was  firft  author  of  the 
Oratorial  Art.  In  Rome,  this  feat  of  eloquence 
was  never  forbidden,  but  in  procefTe  (as  it  was 
perceived  to  be  profitable  and  honeft)  was  had  in 
fuch  eftimation ;  and  fo  many,  partly  for  their 
defence,  partly  for  glory  and  ambition,  employed 
their  ftudies  in  it  with  fuch  endeavour,  that  very 
many  of  the  Commonalty  were  promoted  into  the 
degree  of  Senatours,  and  atchieved  much  worfhip 
by  it ;  Corax  and  Thifias,  being  Sicilians,  gave  firft 
precepts  in  writing  of  this  Science.  And  their 
Countryman  Leontinus  Gorgias  fucceeded  them, 
Demofthenes  was  principel  among  the  Grecians : 
among  the  Romans,  Tullius  Cicero  had  no  fellow. 
Now  as  touching  the  effed  and  property  of  it,  there 
be  in  it  (as  Cicero  writeth)  five  parts  ;  firft,  to  in- 
vent matter  to  fpeak ;  then,  formally  to  order  his 
devices  ;  next,  to  polifti  it,  and  furnifti  it  with  ele- 
gant terms,  and  choyfe  words  and  to  have  it  in 
perfed  memory  :  and  laft  of  all,  to  utter  it  with  a 
comely  gefture, .in  fuch  fort,  that  it  delight:  for 
the  convenient  treatablenefle  thereof,  doth  teach. 


^i  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  i. 

and  plainly  declare  the  thing,  and  move  affections 
of  pitty  and  favour,  in  the  hearts  of  Judges;  or  if 
the  caufe  permit,  or  time  require,  to  excite  a 
chearfuU  laughing,  and  abundant  grave  leverity. 
In  terms  of  this  faculty,  we  have  this  difference; 
we  call  him  that  defendeth  matters,  and  pleadeth 
caufes,  an  Oratour.  A  Rhetoritian,  is  he  that 
teacheth  or  profeffeth  to  be  a  Schoolmafter  in  that 
Art.  A  Declamator,  is  he  that  is  occupied  in 
feigned  caufes,  either  for  his  own  exercife,  or  to 
inftruct  others  thereby. 


CHAP.     XI. 


WHO  INVENTED  MUSICK  ;  AND  WHAT  EFFICACY 
IT   IS   OF,    IN  HUMANE   AFFAIRS. 


M 


USICK,  by  the  teftimony  of  ancient  Poets, 
is  very  antient ;  for  Orpheus  and  Linus,  both  born 
of  the  linage  of  the  gods,  were  very  excellent 
Mufitians.  And  becaufe  the  one  by  the  fweetnefle 
of  his  Harmony,  delighted  and  mollified  the  grofs 
hearts,  and  rude  minds  of  men,  it  was  feigned, 
that  he  made  the  wild  beafts,  as  Lyons  and  Tygres, 
to  follow  him  :  and  the  praifings  of  god's  valiant 
powers,  and  deeds  of  Arms  of  Lords,  were  ufed 
to  be  fung  with  Lutes  at  the  royall  Feafts ;  as 
lompas  in  Virgil,  and  Demodocus  in  Homer  bear 
witnefle. 


Lib.  I.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  j3 

The  Finders  of  Mufick,  as  Fliny  fuppofeth, 
was  Amphion  the  Ton  of  Jupiter  by  Ant  tope.  The 
Grecians  ascribe  the  finding  of  it  to  Diodorus, 
Eufebius  faith,  That  Zephus  and  Amphion,  which  were 
in  Cadmus' s  dayes,  invented  Mufick.  Solinus  con- 
tendeth,  that  the  fl:udy  of  this  Art  came  out  of 
Crete,  and  was  perceived  by  the  ringing  and  fiirill 
found  of  Braffe,  and  fo  brought  and  traduced  into 
numbers  and  meafures,  Polybius  aflirmeth.  That 
it  came  from  the  Arcadians,  which  have  an  exceed- 
ing mind  to  that  Science.  And  Diodorus  writeth, 
That  Mercury  found  Concords  of  finging.  Albeit, 
it  is  like  that  thefe  onley  were  the  firft  fetters  out  of 
it  in  Greece  of  late  time  ;  for  Jofephus  telleth.  That 
Tubulcain  an  Hebrew,  the  fon  of  Lamech,  which 
was  many  Ages  before  them,  ufed  much  to  fing 
to  the  Pfaltery  and  Lute :  notwithfl:anding,  who 
was  firfl:  procurer  of  it,  and  when  it  was  found,  it 
is  yet  uncertain.  For  it  feemeth  to  have  been 
given  of  nature  to  mankind  at  the  beginning,  for 
a  fpeciall  remedy,  to  mitigate  the  cruell  pains, 
wherein  man  is  plunged ;  for  a  child  new-born, 
ceafeth  its  crying  at  the  finging  and  lulling  of  his 
Nurfe.  In  all  kinds  of  labours,  finging  is  comfort- 
able, the  Gally-man,  the  Plow-man,  the  Carter, 
the  Carrier,  eafe  the  tedioufnefi!e  of  their  labour 
and  journey,  with  carollings,  and  whiftling;  yea, 
the  brute  beafl:s  be  delighted  with  fongs  and  noifes, 
as  Mules  with  bells,  Horfes  with  trumpets  and 
fiialmes,  are  of  a  fiercer  fl:omack  to  their  appointed 
Minifl:ery.  And  of  whom  (think  ye)  learned  the 
Birds  their  diverfity  of  tunes  ?     Who  taught  the 

5 


34  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  i. 

Nightingale  fuch  fundry  notes?  DoubtlefTe  even 
nature  was  of  this  agreeable  Harmony,  the  onely 
SchoolmiftrefTe.  But  the  Egyptians  did  forbid 
their  young  folks  learning  of  Mufick,  becaufe  it 
feduceth  and  maketh  effeminate  the  hardy  courage 
of  men.  And  Ephorus  faith,  It  was  ordained  to 
delude  and  deceive  men.  Neverthelefs,  Socrates 
was  not  afhamed  in  his  old  age,  to  learn  to  play  on 
the  Harp.  And  Themijlocles^  becaufe  he  refufed 
the  Harp  at  a  Banquet,  was  reckoned  unlearned. 
The  Priefts  of  Mars  in  Rome,  called  Salii,  fung 
verfes  about  the  City :  And  efpecially  the  great 
Prophet  David,  which  fung  the  Myfteries  of  God 
in  Meter,  frequented  fmging. 


I 


CHAP.    XII. 

WHO 

BROUGHT  THEM   INTO    ITALY. 


T  is  faid,  that  Mercury  found  the  Harp  firfl. 
For  as  he  walked  by  the  River  Nilus  after  an  ebbe, 
he  found  a  Tortoife  all  withered,  and  nothing  re- 
maining but  the  finews  ;  which  as  he  fortuned  to 
ftrike  on  them,  made  a  certain  found  :  and  after 
the  pattern  of  that,  he  fafhioned  an  Harp,  and 
according  to  the  three  times  of  the  year.  Summer, 
Winter,  and  Spring,  he  put  to  it  three  ftrings,  a 
treble,  a  bafe,  and  a  mean.     This   Inftrument  he 


Lib.  I.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL  35 

gave  to  Apollo^  and  Apollo  delivered  it  to  Orpheus: 
feme  think  Amphion  found  it.  I  find,  that  the 
Harp  had  feven  firings,  to  refemble  the  {^Y^n 
daughters  of  Atlas ^  whereof  Maia,  Mercury  his 
Mother,  was  one.  And  then  after  that,  were  two 
other  put  to,  to  reprefent  the  nine  Mufes. 

Some  refer  the  originall  of  the  Harp  and  Pipe 
to  Apollo^  for  his  Image  in  Delos  (as  they  fay)  hath 
in  the  right  hand  a  bow,  and  in  the  left  hand  the 
goddefles  of  favour.  Whereof  one  hath  a  Harp, 
another  a  Shalm,  the  third  a  Pipe.  Shalms  were 
at  the  beginning  made  of  Cranes  legs,  and  after  of 
great  reeds,  Dardamus  Trezemius  ufed  firft  to  play 
and  fing  with  them.  Pan  an  heathenifh  God, 
found  the  Pipe  of  fmall  Reed  firft,  to  folace  his 
love.  Eujebius  faith,  Cybele  found  it,  and  fome 
fuppose  it  was  Apollo.  Ttmarias  played  on  the 
Harp  or  Lute  firft,  without  Ditty,  and  Amphion 
fung  firft  to  the  Lute,  but  the  Harp  was  found 
before  by  Tubal,  and  faftiioned  like  the  Greek  let- 
ter A. 

Hermophilus  firft  diftributed  the  pulfe,  and  beating 
of  the  Veins,  to  certain  meafures  of  Mufick.  And 
the  Prophet  David  found  divers  inftruments,  as 
Regals  and  Nebles.  The  Troglodites  found  the 
Dulcimers.  Pijes  Terrenes  found  the  brazen  Trumpet, 
which  the  Terrenes  footmen  ufed  in  their  warres  : 
fome  think  it  was  Tirreus,  or  Dirceus  an  Athenian. 
For  when  the  Lacedemonians  made  war  againft  the 
Mejfenians,  and  the  wars  were  long  endured,  they 
had  anfwer  of  Apollo,  that  if  they  would  win  the 
field,  they  ftiould  have  a  Captain  of  Athens. 


36  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  i. 

And  the  Athenians  in  defplte,  fent  to  them  one 
DyrceuSy  a  lame  and  one  ey'd  fellow,  and  all  out  of 
(hame,  yet  they  received  him,  and  ufed  his  counfell, 
and  he  taught  them  to  play  on  Trumpets,  which 
were  fo  fearfull  to  the  Athenians^  by  reafon  of  the 
ftrangenefs  of  the  noife,  that  they  fled  forthwith, 
and  fo  they  obtained  Vidory.  Mojes  the  valiant 
Captain  of  the  Hebrews  found  the  Trumpet,  and 
made  it  of  Silver.  The  Arcadians  did  firft  bring 
all  Muficall  Instruments  into  Italy ^  where  before 
that  time  they  ufed  onely  Mountainous  Pipes. 
Thucidides  writeth,  that  the  Lacedemonians  ufed  firft 
in  war  Shalms.  Clarions,  and  Rebecks,  to  the 
intent  that  when  they  were  ready  to  the  wars,  by 
fuch  playing,  they  might  better  keep  array.  The 
Romans  footmen  joyned,  Drumflades,  with  Trum- 
pets. Haliattes  King  of  the  Lidians  had  in  the 
battel),  againft  the  Mile/tans  Pipers  and  Fidlers, 
playing  together,  the  Grecians,  as  they  went  to  war, 
had  Lutes  going  before  them,  to  govern  their  pace, 
all  other  Countries  (as  we  do  now)  ufed  trumpets 
in  battel. 


T 


CHAP.  XIII. 

THE    BEGINNING    OF    PHILOSOPHY. 


HE  Science  of  Philofophy,  which  'Tully  call- 
eth  the  Study  of  Wijdome,  Searcher  out  of  Vertue, 
Expulfer  of  Vice,    (according    to    divers    opinions) 


Lib.  I.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  37 

was  brought  out  of  Barbary  into  Greece.  For  it  *s 
faidj  That  in  Perfia  the  Magitians  (for  fo  they 
called  their  wife  men)  were  excellent  in  knowledg ; 
in  AfTyria,  the  Chaldees  ;  in  India,  the  Gymnofo- 
phifts,  having  their  name,  becaufe  they  went  naked, 
had  their  part  of  wifdome;  of  which  fadion  one 
Budas  was  chief.  In  France,  the  Druides :  in 
Phenice,  Ochus:  in  Thrace,  Xamolxis,  and  Orpheus  : 
in   Libya,  Atlas. 

The  Egyptians  fay.  That  Vulcanus  the  fon  of 
Nilus  found  the  firft  principles  of  Philofophy. 
Laertius  writeth.  That  Philofophy  began  in  Greece, 
where  Mujeus  and  Linus  were  firft  learned  men  : 
but  Eujebius  faith.  That  Philofophy,  like  as  all 
other  Sciences,  fprung  among  the  Hebrews,  and  of 
them  the  Greek  Philofophers,  which  were  a  thou- 
fand  years  after  Mofes,  learned  all  their  knowledg. 
The  name  of  Philofophy  was  not  ufed  among 
them,  till  the  time  of  Pythagoras,  for  he  called 
himfelf  a  Philofopher ;  and  the  ftudy  of  wifdom, 
Philofophy:  whereas  formerly  it  was  named  Wif- 
dome, and  they  that  profefTed  it,  had  the  title  of 
Wife-men.  There  be  three  parts  of  it;  one  called 
naturall,  another  moral,  and  the  faculty  of  difput- 
ing,  called  Logick:  Naturall,  treateth  of  theWorld, 
and  contents  thereof,  which  Archelaus  brought  out  of 
Ionia  unto  Athens.  Moral,  informeth  the  life  and 
manners  of  men;  this  part  Socrates  traduced  from 
heavenly  things,  to  the  ufe  of  life,  and  to  difcern 
good  and  bad.  Logick  inventeth  reafons  on  both 
parts,  and  was  found  by  Zeno  Eliates :  others  divide 
it   into  five  parts,   natural,    fupernatural,    moral, 


38  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  i. 

mathematical,  and  Logick.  Dialogues  were  made 
firft  by  Plato^  or  at  the  leaft  furnifhed  with  more 
eloquence ;  for  Ariftotle  faith,  that  they  were 
devifed  by  Alexamenus  Scireus. 


CHAP.  XIV. 


ASTROLOGY,    THE    COURSE    OF    THE    STARS,    SPHEAR, 
NATURE    OF    THE    WINDS. 


1h 


E  Earth  is  moil  fubjed  to  the  influence  and 
operation  of  the  Planets,  and  by  the  temperate 
feafonablenefl^e  of  the  Conftellations,  it  bringeth 
forth  abundance  of  fruits  :  and  as  Julius  Firmicus 
fuppofeth,  the  Stars  have  alfo  a  power  in  the  birth 
of  men,  to  make  them  of  one  fafhion  or  other, 
this  or  that  complexion,  of  good  or  bad  difpofl- 
tion,  according  as  the  Afpeds,  Conjundions  or 
Oppofltions  do  procure.  And  the  Egyptians  have 
devifed  and  appointed  to  every  night  and  day  its 
peculiar  god,  and  what  deftiny,  or  death  fhall 
chance  to  him  that  is  borne  on  any  fuch  day. 
And  the  Chaldees  faid,  that  to  atchieve  any  good 
or  hurtful  thing,  the  Planets  help  much. 

By  this  occafion,  men,  through  diligent  obferv- 
ing  of  the  celefliial  bodies,  invented  Aflirology, 
wherein  the  whole  moveable  courfe  of  the  Heaven, 
the  riflng,  going  down,  and  order  of  the  Planets  be 


Lib.  I.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  '       39 

comprehended,  which  the  Egyptians  boaft  them- 
felves  to  have  found ;  though  fome  fay  Mercury 
was  authour  of  it ;  and  Diodorus  affirmeth  it  to  be 
Acinus  the  fon  o^  Phcebus.  NeverthelefTe,  Jofephus 
plainly  declareth,  that  Abraham  instruded  them, 
and  the  Chaldees  in  that  Art,  and  thence  it  came 
into  Greece;  for  all  the  learned  men  of  Greece,  as 
Pherecides,  Pythagoras^  T hales ^  aknowledge,  that 
they  were  difciples  to  the  Egyptians  and  Chaldees. 
But  Pliny  writeth,  that  Atlas  was  the  firft  founder 
of  it,  and  therefore  the  Poets  feign,  that  he 
beareth  Heaven  on  his  back.  Servius  thinketh  it 
was  Prometheus  that  found  it.  NeverthelefTe,  all 
thefe  (as  I  fuppofe)  were  the  beginners  of  this 
faculty,  every  man  in  his  own  Countrey  onely,  where 
he  dwelled  :  for  even  from  the  beginning  of  the 
World,  the  fons  of  Seth  devifed  firft  the  Science  of 
the  Stars,  and  for  as  much  as  they  feared  left  their 
Art  fhould  perifh,  before  it  came  to  the  knowledg 
of  men,  (for  they  had  heard  their  grand-father 
Adam  fay,  that  all  things  fhould  be  deftroyed  by 
the  univerfal  floud)  they  made  two  Pillars,  one  of 
ftone,  the  other  of  Brick,  to  the  intent,  that  if  the 
Brick  wafted  with  water  or  ftorms,  yet  the  ftone 
fhould  preferve  the  letters  whole  and  perfed,  and 
in  thefe  Pillars  they  graved  all  that  concerned  the 
obfervance  of  the  Stars.  And  therefore  it  is  prob- 
able, that  the  Egyptians  and  Chaldeans  learned 
Aftrology  of  the  Hebrews,  and  fo  confequently,  it 
fpread  abroad  in  other  Nations;  and  thus  began 
Aftronomy,  conceived  to  feduce  mens  wits.  Among 
the   Romans,   Sulpitius   Gallus ;   in   Greece,   Inhales 


40  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  i. 

Mileftiis  perceived  the  caufe  of  the  Ecllpfe  of  the 
Sun  and  Moon.  Endimeon  marked  firft  the  courfe 
of  the  Moon  and  her  changing,  as  Pliny  writeth. 
Pythagoras  (as  fome  fay)  obferved  the  courfe  of 
VenuSy  called,  the  Day-ftar ;  but  (as  Laertius  fup- 
pofeth)  it  was  Permenides.  The  Sphear  was  divifed 
by  Archimedes  a  Syracufian ;  but  Diogenes  taketh  it 
to  have  been  Mujeus ;  and  Pliny  afcribeth  it  to 
Anaximander,  The  winds  were  firft  obferved  by 
Aeolus,  as  it  is  reported,  upon  this  reafon  ;  The 
Inhabitants  of  the  Iflands  about  Sicily,  Prognofti- 
cate  by  the  fmoke  of  the  faid  Ides  three  dayes 
before,  what  wind  they  fhall  have ;  and  for  that 
caufe  they  fay  that  Aeolus  hath  dominion  over  the 
winds.  The  winds,  as  fome  divide  them,  be  four, 
according  to  the  four  principal  Regions  of  the  ayr  ; 
they  that  be  more  curious,  make  eight.  And  ef 
pecially  one  Andronicus  Cereftes,  which  builded  in 
Athens  a  Turret,  and  fet  on  every  fide  of  it,  the 
Image  of  the  Winds,  graven  againft  the  Region 
whence  the  winds  came,  and  fet  them  on  Pillars  of 
Marble,  and  in  the  middle  he  fet  a  brazen  Image 
of  'Triton,  which  he  had  made,  fo  that  it  would 
turn  with  the  wind,  and  ftand  with  his  face  toward 
the  wind  that  blew,  and  point  with  a  rod  to  the 
Image  of  the  fame  Wind;  which  manner  is  now 
ufed  in  all  Countries ;  for  they  fet  up  Weather- 
cocks or  Fans,  to  fhew  one  of  what  Quarter  the 
Wind  bloweth. 


CHAP.     XV. 

WHO   INVENTED   GEOMETRY,   ARITHMETICK, 
WITH   OTHER  THINGS. 


N 


ILUS,  the  moft  famous  River  of  the 
World,  from  the  time  that  the  Sun  is  in  Tropica 
Cancri,  untill  it  come  to  the  Equinodial  line  in 
Libra  again,  doth  overflow  all  the  Downs  and 
plain  Countries  of  Egypt :  by  the  altitude  and 
deepnefle  of  this  flood,  the  Egyptians  forefee  the 
plenty  and  fcarcity  of  fruits  to  com.  For  if  it 
increafe  but  unto  the  depth  of  twelve  or  thirteen 
Cubits,  it  portendeth  lack  of  fufliciency  :  if  it  pafle 
fourteen,  and  fo  to  flxteen,  it  importeth  great 
plenty.  In  the  time  of  Claudius  C^ejar,  it  waxed 
eighteen  Cubits,  which  was  the  greatefl:  tide.  The 
leaft  was  in  the  time  of  the  battel  at  Pharfalia; 
whereby  it  fignified,  how  it  abhorred  the  murther 
of  the  valiant  Pompey. 

When  Nilus,  with  fuch  inundations  had  partly 
diminiflied,  partly  tranfpofed,  the  Meers  and  Land- 
marks, whereby  their  portions  of  land  were  difor- 
dered,  they  were  compelled  often  to  meafure  their 
bounds  afrefli :  for  that  caufe  the  Egyptians  vaunt, 
that  Geometry  was  invented  by  them  to  meafure 
Lands.  As  Arithmetick  by  the  Phoenicians,  the 
6 


42  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  i. 

better  to  perform  their  Merchandife.  But  Jqfe- 
phus  feemeth  to  attribute  both  to  the  Jews,  faying, 
That  God  prolonged  the  time  of  their  lives, 
becaufe  they  were  employed  in  ftudies  to  fearch 
out  Aftrology  and  Geometry  ;  and  the  Egyptians 
were  ignorant  in  Geometry  and  Arithmetick,  untill 
the  time  that  Abraham  taught  them.  Geometry 
contained  the  defcription  of  lengths,  breadths, 
fhapes,  and  quantities.  In  this  Strabo  in  Greece 
excelled,  in  the  time  of  Tiberius ;  and  Ptolomy, 
under  Trajanus  and  Antoninus:  In  Italy,  Plinius 
and  Foninus. 

Meafures  and  Weights  were  found  by  Sidonius, 
(as  Eutropius  faith)  the  fame  time  that  Procas 
reigned  in  Albany ;  Ahax  in  Judah  ;  and  Jeerobo^m 
in  Hierufalem.  Some  write,  that  Af^rr^ry  devifed 
them  in  Greece ;  Pliny  afcribeth  it  to  Phidon  of 
Argos ;  Gellius,  to  Palamedes.  Strabo  to  one  Phidon 
of  Elis  in  Arcadie.  Diogenes  faith,  that  Pythagoras 
taught  the  Greeks  weights  and  meafures;  but 
Jofephus  affirmeth,  that  Cain  found  them  firft  of 
all. 

Numbers,  fpme  fay,  were  invented  by  Pytha- 
goras; fome,  by  Mercury:  Livius  fuppofeth,  that 
Pallas  found  them.  The  manner  of  counting 
years  in  Greece,  was  by  Olympiads,  which  con- 
tained the  fpace  of  five  years,  as  the  Romans  did 
Lujlra,  which  contained  the  fame  number  of  years: 
and  sometimes  by  nails.  For  every  year  the  Confull 
or  chief  Judge  called  Praetor,  in  the  Ides  of  Septem- 
ber, faftned  a  nail  in  the  wall  of  Jupiters  Temple, 
next  joyning  to  the  Temple  o^  Pallas,  to  fignify  the 


Lib.  I.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  43 

fpace  of  years.  And  we  ufe  to  write  our  numbers 
with  thefe  feven  letters.  C  I  D  L  M  U  X.  or 
with  thefe  Figures,  i  23456789.  which,  be- 
caufe  they  be  in  quotidian  ufe,  it  needeth  not  to 
declare. 


CHAP    XVI. 

PHYSICK,   AND  THE    PARTS   THEREOF. 

J7  HYSICK,  which  with  remedies  provided  by 
God,  doth  much  comfort  and  cure  men  in  their 
maladies  and  difseafes,  that  break  forth  in  their 
bodies,  is  thought  worthily  to  have  been  invented 
of  the  Gods.  For  it  is  fuppofed  that  Mercury 
found  it  among  the  Egyptians^  fome  say  it  was 
Apys  their  god ;  or  Arabus  fon  to  Apollo :  fome 
refer  it  to  Apollo  himfelf,  becaufe  the  moderate 
heat  of  the  Sun  is  banifher  of  all  fickneffe. 
Clement  doth  attribute  the  finding  of  it  to  the 
Egyptians  in  general,  and  the  amplifying  and  en- 
larging of  it  to  MJculapeus^  which,  befide  other 
things,  found  the  plucking  out  of  Teeth.  Not- 
withftanding,  whofoever  found  the  notable  know- 
ledge of  Medicines,  it  is  no  doubt  but  it  was 
perceived,  by  what  things  were  wholefome,  and 
what  unwholefome.  And  as  they  observed  how 
the  (ick  folks  ufed  their  diet,  and  marked  how  fome 


44  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  i. 

for  greedinefle  did  eat  much,  and  fome  forbare 
their  meat  becaufe  of  faintneffe  of  their  ftomach. 
Whereby  they  learned  that  abftinence  was  a  helper 
and  furtherer  of  health  :  and  by  fuch  observance 
other  Precepts  of  Phyfick  were  gathered. 

It  hath  three  parts,  one  of  Dieting,  another  of 
Medicines,  the  third  of  Surgery,  for  by  one  of 
thefe  three  wayes,  are  difeafes  relieved.  But  foraf- 
much  as  it  changeth,  it  was  very  obfcure  till  Hippo- 
crates did  renew  it :  and  whereas  they  had  a  cuftome, 
that  the  Patient,  being  reflored  to  health,  fhould 
write  in  the  Temple  of  the  God  that  helped 
him,  both  his  name,  and  the  manner  of  healing, 
that  the  example  might  help  the  like  difeafe:  out 
of  all  fuch  precedences,  he  gathered  Precepts  of 
Phyfick,  and  brought  it  first  to  a  formall  Art. 

In  Rome^  Archagathus,  of  Peloponnefus,  was  the 
firft  Phyfitian,  in  the  five  hundred  thirty  fifth  year 
of  the  City,  {Lucius  Emilius^  and  Marcus  Livius 
being  Confulls)  and  was  made  Freeman  of  the 
City,  which  was  firft  made  a  Surgeon  ;  after,  for 
the  fharpenefl"e  of  his  cutting  and  fearing,  he  was 
named  a  Butcher  and  Murtherer ;  and  afterward, 
when  the  number  began  to  encreafe,  they  were  ex- 
pulfed  out  of  Rome,  and  baniftied  by  Marcus  Cato, 
as  Pliny  telleth  in  his  thirty  fixth  Book. 

In  Egypt  and  Babylon,  they  ufed  no  Phyfitians, 
but  brought  the  fick  perfons  into  the  ftreets  and 
common  places,  that  the  men,  which  pafTed  by, 
might  tell  them  what  manner,  diet  or  means,  they 
themfelves  had  ufed  in  the  like  difeafe  to  efcape  it: 
Neither  was  it  lawfull  for  any  man  to  pafTe  by. 


Lib.  I.  POLIDORE    VIRGIL. 


45 


till  he  had  communed  with  the  Patient.  In  the 
latter  dayes,  the  Egyptians  diftributed  the  Art  of 
Medicines,  in  fuch  fort,  that  every  Difeafe  had  a 
diverfe  Phyfitian  to  minifter  in  it,  as  one  for  the 
eyes,  one  for  the  head,  others  for  the  entrails;  and 
likewife,  other  for  other  ficknefles,  and  fo  it  came 
to  paffe,  that  all  places  were  full  of  Phyfitians.  In 
this  Art  Cajfius,  Calpitanus^  Aruntius^  Rubrius^ 
Antonius^  Mufa,  Galenus,  Avicenna^  excelled. 


CHAP.  XVII. 


THE     INVENTOURS     OF    HERBS     MEDICINABLE,     WHAT 
REMEDIES   MEN    LEARNED  OF  BEASTS. 


N 


ATURE  doubtlefle,  the  Mother  and  Gover- 
nefle  of  all  things,  did  create  hearbs,  as  may  appear 
by  many  examples,  partly  for  the  delegation,  and 
partly  for  the  Health  and  prefervation  of  mens 
bodies.  ^ ox  Xanthus  2iVv  Hiftoriographer  (as  P//«)' 
recordeth)  telleth  how  a  Dragon  revived  his  young 
Faun  that  was  flain,  by  the  vertue  of  an  hearb  called 
Balin:  and  the  Hechewall,  if  a  wedge  be  driven 
into  the  hole  of  her  nefl  (for  fhe  maketh  her  neft 
in  the  hole  of  a  Tree,  that  fhe  worketh  with  her 
beak)  compelleth  it  to  fall  out,  with  an  herb  that 
fhe  knoweth :  and  fome  of  the  Indians  live  onely 
by  hearbs.     Appianus  writeth,  that  the  Parthians^ 


46  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  i. 

which  Anthony  put  to  flight,  confl:rained  by  extream 
famine,  chanced  to  eat  a  certain  hearb,  whofe  na- 
ture was  to  make  them  that  eat  it,  to  forget  all 
other  things,  and  onely  dig  up  ftones,  as  if  they 
would  do  fome  great  matter;  and  after  fuch  extream 
travail  died.  Of  fuch  Medicines  made  with  Herbs, 
Chiron  fon  to  Saturnus,  and  Phillara  was  the  finder, 
and  devifed  alfo  falves  for  wounds.  Sores,  Biles, 
although  fome  think  it  was  Apollo,  and  fome  refer 
it  to  his  fon  JEJculapius,  whom  Chiron  brought  up 
to  the  Samothracians.  But  I  fuppofe  they  attributed 
the  Invention  of  it  to  Chiron,  becaufe  he  found  the 
Herb  Century,  wherewith  he  healed  the  wound 
that  he  had  by  Hercules  fhafts,  falling  on  his  foot, 
as  he  was  handling  of  his  weapons:  Notwithftand- 
ing,  Celjus  faith  that  the  Art  of  Phyfick  is  very 
ancient,  but  he  maketh  no  mention  of  the  Author 
of  it,  onely  he  faith,  MJclepiades,  which  was  an  ex- 
cellent Phyfitian,  did  abolifh  the  ufe  of  it  forafmuch 
as  it  annoyed  the  ftomack,  and  engendred  evill 
humours.  Mercury  found  the  ufe  of  Moly :  Achilles, 
Yarow,  Efculapius,  Panace;  and  fundry  men  found 
fundry  hearbs,  Medicines  of  Honey,  Sol,  the  fon  of 
Oceanus,  invented:  and  beafts  taught  men  certain 
hearbs,  neceffary,  for  Medicines.  As  the  Hart 
fl:ricken  wthi  an  Arrow,  driveth  it  out  with 
Dittany;  and  if  he  be  fl:inged  with  a  Spider  he 
healeth  himfelf  with  eating  Pills,  or  a  certain  hearb 
named  Cancer.  Selandine,  which  is  a  foveraign 
hearb  for  the  fight,  was  perceived  by  the  Swallows, 
which  healed  the  eyes  of  their  young  ones  with  it. 
The   Snail    or   Torteife,   ready   to  fight  with    the 


Lib.  1.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  47 

Serpent,  armeth  himfelf  with  Savery,  or  Marjoram. 
The  Boar  in  his  ficknefTe,  cureth  himfelf  with  the 
Ivy.  Of  the  water  Horfe  in  Nylus,  men  learned 
to  let  bloud:  For  when  he  is  weak  and  diftempered, 
he  feeketh  by  the  River  fide  the  fharpeft  Reed- 
ftalks,  and  ftriketh  a  Vein  in  his  Leg  againft  it, 
with  great  violence,  and  fo  eafeth  his  body  by  fuch 
means:  and  when  he  hath  done,  he  covereth  the 
wound  with  the  mud. 

The  Ibis,  a  bird  much  like  the  Stork  of  the 
fame  Country,  taught  Phyficians  to  Minifter  Glif- 
ters:  For  when  fhe  is  full,  fhe  purgeth  her  felf, 
with  her  crooked  beak,  at  the  Fundament.  The 
Wefil  in  chafing  the  Serpent,  preferveth  her  felf 
with  Rue,  and  the  Stork  with  Organy.  In  Greece, 
Orpheus,  Mufeus,  Diofcorides ;  In  Rome, Marcus Cato, 
Pompeius  Lenius,  wrote  of  the  nature  of  Hearbs. 
Pliny  thinketh  that  this  Art  was  firft  received 
among  the  Romans. 


CHAP.    XVIII. 

THE     BEGINNING    OF    MAGICK,   DRIVING    OUT    OF 


M 


SUNDRY   MANNERS. 


AGICK  had  its  beginning  of  Phyfick,  and 
was  the  mvtntiono^  Zoroajires  King  of  the  Ba£irians, 
which  reigned  eight  hundred  years  after  the  fiege 


48  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  i. 

of  1'roy^  the  fame  time  that  Abraham  and  Ninus 
reigned,  about  three  thoufand  one  hundred  four- 
fcore  and  ^wt  years,  after  the  Creation  of  the 
World.  La^antius  and  Eujebius  think  it  was  fet 
forth  among  other  devillifh  fciences,  by  the  evill 
Spirits ;  and  Pliny  calleth  it  of  all  Arts  the  moft 
deceitful.  It  is  compaded  of  Phyfick,  Superfti- 
tion,  and  the  Mathematical  Arts.  The  T'hejfalo- 
nians  efpecially  were  accufed,  with  the  frequent  ufe 
of  this  pradife,  the  writer  of  this  art  was  Hofthanes. 
Pythagoras^  Empedocles,  Democritus^  Plato  with  divers 
others,  failed  into  far  Countries  to  learn  it :  where- 
in Democritus  was  moft  famous,  three  hundred  years 
after  the  City  was  builded,  in  which  time,  Hippo- 
crates publifhed  the  Art  of  Phyfick. 

The  manner  to  drive  out  fpirits  out  of  men  that 
were  poftefled  with  them,  and  Charms  to  heal  cor- 
porall  maladies.  King  Solomon  taught,  as  Jojephus 
witnefTeth:  and  he  faw  it  done  by  Eleazar  in  his 
time,  before  Vejpafianus  then  Emperour.  The 
manner  to  heal  them  was  thus:  He  put  to  the  nofe 
of  the  poflefTed  man  a  Ring,  wherein  was  enclofed 
a  root  that  Solomon  had  fhewed,  wherewith  he  drove 
out  the  fpirit,  and  the  man  fell  down  :  then  he 
conjured  with  fuch  Orifons  and  Exorcifms,  as  were 
appointed  by  Solomon  to  banifh  the  fpirit  out  of  the 
Demoniak. 

The  Sages  or  Wife-men  of  Perfta  which  in  their 
language  be  named  Magi,  being  wholly  addid  to 
the  honouring  of  their  falfe  gods,  came  to  fuch  ex- 
tream  folly,  that  they  profefled  openly,  that  they 
could  not  onely  by  the  obfervation  of  the   Stars 


Lib.  I.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL. 


49 


know  things  to  come,  but  alfo  by  other  pretenfed 
arts,  and  mumbling  of  fome  words,  they  could  do 
and  bring  to  pafle  any  thing  that  they  would. 

By  them  were  invented  thefe  6  kinds  of  Magick; 
Necromancy,  which  is  by  raifing  up  of  dead  men;  as 
in  Lucane,  one  raifed  from  death,  told  the  adven- 
tures of  the  battel  of  Pharfalus. 

Piromancy,  that  telleth  things  by  the  fire  and 
lightning ;  as  TenaquiUa,  the  wife  of  Tarquinius 
Prifcus,  prophefied,  that  Servius  Tullius  fhould  be 
King  of  Rome,  becaufe  fhe  faw  the  fire  environ  his 
head.  The  finding  of  this,  Pliny  referreth  to  Am- 
phiaraus. 

Hieromancy,  that  is,  a  kind  of  prophecying  by 
the  ayr,  as  by  flying,  feeding,  fmging  of  birds,  and 
flrange  tempefls  of  wind  and  hail. 

Hidromancie,  was  prophefying  by  water  :  as  Varro 
writeth,  that  a  Child  did  fee  in  the  water  the  Image 
o{  Mercury,  which  in  150  verfes  told  all  the  chance 
War  again  ft  Mithridates  King  of  Pontus. 

Geomancy,  was  a  divination,  by  opening  of  the 
earth. 

Chiromancy,  is  a  conjeduring  by  beholding  the 
lines,  or  wrincles  of  the  hands,  called  commonly 
Palmiftry, 

Which  vain  illufions,  and  falfe  perfwafions,  it 
becometh  all  true  Chriftians  to  efchue  and  abhor. 


CHAP.    XIX. 

TWO    KINDS   OF  DIVINATION,  SOOTHSAYING,    CASTING 
LOTTS,   AND    INTERPRETING   OF   DREAMS. 


C 


ICERO  maketh  two  kinds  of  divinations, 
pne  naturall,  and  another  artificiall.  Natural  is 
that,  which  proceedeth  of  a  certain  commotion  of 
the  mind,  that  chanceth  fometimes  to  men  when 
they  be  in  dreams,  or  ileeping :  fometimes  when 
they  prophefie  in  manner  of  fury,  and  ravifhing  of 
mind ;  as  Sybilla  and  divers  other  religious  perfons 
did.  Of  this  kind  were  Oracles  o{  Apollo  and  Ju- 
piter-Hammon.  Albeit  they  were  often  falfe,  be- 
caufe  they  came  of  a  devellifh  policy,  and  man's 
fubtlety  :  but  fuch  as  come  of  the  Holy  Ghoft, 
and  not  of  a  blafphemous  madneffe,  be  true. 

The  artificiall  confifteth  in  those  things  which 
come  of  conjectures,  old  confiderations,  and  obferv- 
ances  of  the  entrails  of  beafts,  flying  of  birds,  cast- 
ing of  lots. 

The  regarding  of  the  bowles  of  beafts  began 
among  the  Hetrufcians:  For  as  it  fortuned  a  man 
that  plowed,  to  raife  up  a  deeper  furrow  than  he 
was  wont  to  do  ;    one  Tages  fxiddenly  arofe  out  of 


Lib.  I.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL  51 

the  earth,  that  taught  them  all  the  feats  of  Sooth- 
faying;  but  Pliny  faith,  one  Delphus  found  it. 

The  divinations  by  looking  on  the  feeding  of 
birds,  Therejius  a  Theban,  devifed.  Caras  firft 
marked  the  chattering  of  them  ;  and  Pythagoras 
obferved  their  flying. 

Orpheus  added  the  divination  by  other  beafts. 
What  ftore  we  ought  to  fet  by  fuch  divinations, 
Majfolanus  a  Jew  teacheth  us  :  When  he  was  in  the 
wars,  a  certain  Prophet  commanded  every  man  to 
ftand,  till  he  had  taken  a  conjedure  of  the  bird  that 
flew  by:  but  Majfolanus  took  privily  a  bow  and 
fliaft,  and  killed  the  bird  ;  wherewith  the  Wifard, 
and  divers  others  were  difpleafed:  Then  he  faid  to 
them,  Why  dote  ye  fo  ?  can  the  bird,  which  know- 
eth  not  of  her  own  death,  tell  us  the  cafual  adven- 
tures of  our  Journey  ?  For  if  flie  had  any  fore- 
knowledge, flie  would  not  have  come  hither  to 
have  been  killed  of  me. 

Cafting  of  Lots,  Numerius  Suffuftus  devifed  firft 
at  Preneft. 

The  expounding  of  dreams,  Pliny  afcribeth  to 
Amphi£fion;  but  Trogus  afligneth  it  to  Jojephion  to 
Jacob.  Clement  faith,  the  Telmejfians  found  it. 
But  all  thefe  were  invented  to  feduce  men  with  fu- 
perftitious  errour,  and  for  the  commodity  of  them 
that  use  it. 

HERE    ENDETH    THE    FIRST    BOOK. 


Polidore  Virgil. 


The  Second  BOOK. 


CHAP.  I. 


THE  ORIGINAL  OF  LAWES  ;    AND  WHO   MADE  THE 
FIRST   LAWES. 


L 


AW  is  a  conftant  and  perpetual  good  thing, 
without  which,  no  houfe,  no  City,  no  Country,  no 
eftates  of  men,  no  naturall  Creature,  nor  the 
World  it  felf,  can  confift  firm  and  ftable.  For  it 
obeyeth  GOD;  and  all  other  things,  ayr,  water, 
land,  and  men,  be  in  obedience  to  it.  Chryfippus 
calleth  it  a  knowledg  of  all  Divine  and  humane 
matters,  commanding  equity,  and  expulfing  wick- 
ednefTe  and  wrong. 

There  be  of  Laws  three  kinds :  one  natural, 
that  is  not  onely  appropried  to  man,  but  alfo  it 
concerneth   all   other  lively   things   either   in    the 


Lib.  2.    '  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  53 

Earth,  Sea,  or  Ayr.  As  we  perceive  in  all  kinds 
of  living  creatures,  naturally  a  certain  familiarity 
of  male  and  female,  procreation  of  iflue,  and  a 
proclivity  to  nourifh  the  fame ;  the  which  pro- 
ceedeth  of  a  natural  law  engraffed  in  the  hearts 
of  every  of  them  :  Nature  herfelf,  that  is,  God, 
was  Author  of  this. 

The  fecond  is  named  the  Law  that  all  men  ufe 
generally  through  all  the  World ;  as  to  fhew  a 
man  the  way,  to  communicate  to  men  the  com- 
modity of  the  Elements,  Water  and  Ayr;  to  this 
kind  appertaineth  the  Law  of  Arms ;  and  it  is 
called  in  Latine,  Jus  gentium. 

Civil  Law,  is  the  private  Law  of  every  Country 
or  City,  as  of  the  Romans,  Lacedemonians,  and 
Athenians.  This  confifteth  in  decrees  of  Princes, 
Statutes,  and  Proclamations. 

The  chief  and  principal  lawes  were  promulgate 
by  God,  confirmed  after  the  moft  pure  and  perfed 
manner  that  naturall  equity  could  devife  or  conceive, 
and  be  in  ftable  conftance,  and  fubjed:  to  no 
tranfmutation.  After  the  example  of  thefe,  man 
hath  invented  Laws  to  defend  and  preferve  good 
men,  and  to  punifh  and  keep  evil  perfons  in  office 
and  good  order. 

Such  Laws  Ceres  made  firft,  as  Diodorus  fup- 
pofeth  :  but  others  think  it  was  Rhadamantus ;  and 
afterwards  others  in  divers  Countries  devifed  and 
ordained  Laws  :  as  in  Athens,  Draco  and  Solon  : 
in  Egypt,  Mercury :  in  Crete,  Minos :  in  Lace- 
demonia,  Lycurgus  :  in  Tyre,  Tharandus  :  in  Argos, 
Phoroneus :  in  ^om.^  Romulus  in  Italy  Pythagoras ; 


54 


POLIDORE  VIRGIL. 


Lib.  2. 


or  after  the  mind  of  Dionyftus,  the  Arcadians,  that 
were  under  Evander  as  their  Soveraign  Lord  and 
chief  Captain.  Notwithftanding,  the  very  true 
Authour  of  Lawes,  was  God,  which  firfl:  planted 
in  us  the  Law  of  Nature ;  and  when  it  was  cor- 
rupted by  Adam,  and  his  pofterity,  he  gave  the 
written  Law  by  Mofes  to  reduce  us  again  to  our 
firfl  ftate  and  true  inftind  of  Nature  ;  which  was 
before  all  other,  as  Eujebius  declareth. 


CHAP.  II 


WHO   ORDAINED    THE    FIRST    GOVERNANCE  OF  A 

COMINALTY,   TYRANNY,   WITH    OTHER 

CONSTITUTIONS. 

T 

X  HE  adminiftration  of  a  Common-weal  is  after 
three  forts,  as  Plato  divideth  it ;  Monarchy,  where 
one  ruleth.  Ariftocracy,  when  the  beft  men  govern. 
Democracy,  or  popular  ftate,  where  the  common 
people  have  a  ftroke  in  ruling  the  publike-weal. 
Principality  or  a  Kingdom  was  firft  begun  by  the 
Egyptians  which  could  not  long  fubfift  without  a 
King  or  Ruler :  there  reigned  firft,  as  Herodotus 
faith,  Menes:  and  their  manner  was  to  choofe  him 
among  the  Priefts  of  their  Religion :  and  if  it 
fortuned,  that  any  ftranger  obtained  the  Realm  by 


Lib.  2.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  55 

Conqueft,  he  was  compelled  to  be  confecrated 
Prieft,  and  To  was  the  eledion  legitimate,  when  he 
was  King  and  Prieft.  The  Diadem,  that  was  the 
token  of  the  Honour-royall,  had  its  beginning  by 
Liber  Bacchus. 

The  Athenians  firft  ordained  the  ftate  of  a 
Common-wealth,  that  was  governed  by  the  whole 
Commons,  as  Pliny  thinketh  ;  albeit  they  had  alfo 
Kings,  whereof  Deer  ops  Diphyes^  which  reigned  in 
Mojes  s  time,  was  the  firft.  For,  as  Juftine  writeth. 
Every  City  and  Nation  had  at  the  beginning  a 
King  for  their  chief  Governour;  which  attained  to 
that  dignity  by  no  ambition  or  favour,  but  by  a 
fingular  Wit,  and  fober  modeftnefs,  and  reigned 
with  fuch  loyalty,  that  feemed  onely  in  title  a  King  ; 
indeed,  a  Subjed. 

Ninius  King  of  the  AfTyrians,  contrary  to  the 
old  rite  and  cuftome,  of  an  ambitious  defire  that 
he  had  to  bear  rule,  firft  arrogantly  ufurped  the 
Empire  of  all  Afia,  except  India.  As  concerning 
the  Inftitution  of  the  Common-Wealth,  where  the 
Commons  do  all  things,  notwithftanding  the  mind 
o^  Pliny,  I  fuppofe  it  began  among  the  Hebrews, 
which  were  ruled  by  a  popular  State  many  years 
before  that  Athens  was  built. 

The  form  of  Policy,  which  is  governed  by  the 
best,  (as  the  Romans  Common-wealth  was)  I 
cannot  well  underftand  when  it  had  its  original, 
unlefle  I  ftiould  aflign  it  to  the  Thebans,  which 
in  the  time  oi  Ninius  ruled  the  Egyptians,  whofe 
rule,  becaufe  the  valiant  and  noble  bare  the  author- 
ity, was  called  a  power  or  potency,  which  was  the 


56  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  2. 

3185th  year  of  the  World.  Pliny  writeth,  That 
after  Thefeus^  Phalax'is  was  the  firft  Tyrant ;  where- 
by it  appeareth  that  he  thinketh  Thefeus^  was  au- 
thour  of  tyranny  :  but  Nemroth  of  the  linage  of 
Noah^  not  long  after  the  floud  ufed  tyranny. 

Bondage  (as  Pliny  fuppofeth)  began  in  Lace- 
demonia :  yet  I  find  that  it  began  among  the  He- 
brews, and  had  its  original  proceeding  of  Chanaan 
the  fon  of  Cham^  who,  becaufe  he  had  laughed  his 
father  Noah  to  fcorn,  as  he  lay  deffolutely  when  he 
was  drunk,  was  punifhed  in  his  fon  Chanaan  with 
penalty  of  bondage  and  thraldome,  a  thing  to 
them  very  flrange ;   and  to  his  pofterity,  grievous. 

The  order  of  manumiffion  in  old  time  was  in 
this  manner:  The  Lord  or  Mafter  took  the  bond- 
men by  the  head,  or  fome  other  part  of  his 
body  faying,  /  will  this  fellow  be  free,  and  put  him 
forth  of  his  hands.  The  Councel  of  the  Areo- 
pagites,  (which  were  called  fo  of  the  court  of  Mars) 
were  inftituted  by  Solon  to  judge  of  life  and  death, 
their  cuftome  was  to  ufe  fuch  Soveraignty,  and 
integrity  in  Judgment,  that  they  heard  all  caufes 
and  matters  in  the  night,  and  not  in  the  day:  to 
the  intent  they  fhould  have  no  occafion  to  regard 
the  parties,  but  onely  have  their  eye  and  resped: 
earneftly  to  the  thing  that  was  brought  before  them. 
Voyces  which  be  ufed  and  occupied  in  Conful- 
tations,  Judgments,  and  Eledions  were  firft  or- 
dained by  Palamedes. 


CHAP.     III. 


THE    THREE     MANNER  OF   REGIMENTS   IN   ROME,   THE 


OTHER  MATTERS   PERTAINING  TO 
A  COMMON-WEALTH. 


R 


OME,  which  was  the  moft  renowned  City 
of  all  the  World,  both  for  the  Valour  of  Arms, 
and  Civill  Policy  whereby  it  was  governed,  had 
three  forms  of  Regiment.  In  the  beginning  it 
had  Kings;  ^ov  Romulus^  which  was  builder  thereof, 
reigned  there;  and  after  him,  fix  other,  under 
whom,  the  Principality  lafted  244  years  after  the 
City  was  builded.  Then  Tarquinius  being  banifh^d 
for  the  notable  crime  and  rape  of  Lucretia,  com- 
mitted by  his  fon,  it  was  ordered  by  two  Confuls, 
Junius  Brutus,  and  L.  Tarquinius  Collatinus.  They 
had  the  name  and  title  of  Confuls,  of  the  conful- 
tation  and  provifion  which  they  made  for  the  Com- 
mon-wealth. They  ruled  the  Empire,  conduded 
Armies  ;  and  by  thefe  Officers,  becaufe  they  were 
annuall,  the  years  were  counted.  Within  12  years 
after  the  expulfing  of  the  Kings,  when  40  Cities 
of  the  Latines,  05iavius  Manilius,  fon  in  law  to 
8 


58  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib. 


2. 


TarquimuSy  being,  their  captain,  made  infurredion, 
and  confpired  again  ft  the  Romans,  T.  Largius  was 
created  Didator  or  great  Mafter;  which  office  was 
higheft  in  authority  :  and,  as  Dionyfms  thinketh,  it 
was  taken  of  the  Greeks,  among  whom,  E/ymnet^ 
had  the  fame  power  that  Didators  had  in  Rome, 
Livius  referreth  the  original  of  them  to  the  Albanes: 
And  the  Carthaginians  had  alfo  their  Dictators. 
This  Magiftrate  was  never  ufed  faving  in  great 
dangers  of  the  Common-wealth,  and  it  continued 
but  fix  moneths  :  during  that  Office  all  other  Ma- 
giftrates  were  abrogated,  except  the  Tribunate  or 
Provoftfhip  of  the  Commons.  The  Conful's  duty 
was,  to  name  and  proclaim  him,  and  that  no  time 
but  in  the  night :  albeit  what  time  the  Veientes  had 
won  the  Romans  Camp,  A.  Cornelius  Cqfus,  Marfhal 
of  the  Army,  need  fo  conftraining,  denounced 
Mamercus  Aemelius  for  Didator,  contrary  to  that 
ftatute.  About  300  years  after  the  building  of 
Rome,  the  publike  State  was  tranfferred  from  the 
Confulftiip,  unto  the  Rule  of  Ten,  called  'Decern- 
vim,  which  endured  but  three  years ;  for  by  reafon 
of  the  outragious  luft  of  Appius  Claudius,  againft 
the  Maid  Virginea,  they  were  depofed,  and  Confuls 
were  subftituted  to  fupply  their  room.  Then,  the 
310th  year  of  the  City,  in  the  place  of  Confuls, 
were  chofen  Marfhals  or  Provofts  of  Armies,  whom 
they  named  Tribunes,  Aulus  Sempronius,  Attacinus, 
L.  Attilius  Longus,  and  T.  Celicius  Siculus.  The 
authority  of  the  Commons  became  daily  more  fedi- 
tious,  and  confederacies  increafed.  In  fuch  fort, 
that  C  Cunuleius  brought  to  paffe,  that  the  Com- 


Lib.  2.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  59 

minalty  married  with  the  Nobility,  and  the  Tri- 
bunes by  their  earned  inftance  and  fuit,  caufed  that 
the  high  Offices  were  permitted  to  them  of  the 
common  fort.  At  the  355th  year  of  the  building 
of  the  City,  P.  Licinius  Cahus  was  made  Tribune 
of  the  Army.  The  389th  year,  L.  Sextus  Later- 
anus  attained  the  Confulfhip  :  the  399th  year,  C. 
Martins  Later  anus  was  created  Di6lator. 

From  this  manner  of  Governance,  it  was  by 
Sylla  and  Marius  brought  to  one  Ruler  or  Prince 
again.  Thus  hath  Rome  had  all  kinds  of  admini- 
ftration  of  the  Common-wealth.  The  Emperial 
ornaments  of  the  Kings  of  Ro?ne,  as  fardels  of  rods, 
the  ax,  the  garland  of  gold,  the  Chair  of  Ivory, 
the  Kyrtil  or  Cope,  Chariot,  trapped  Horfes, 
Rings,  Coat-Armours,  Robes,  Mantles  of  Eftate, 
Embroidered  Gowns,  with  garments  of  Baudkyn 
or  Motley,  with  all  other  Royal  Apparrell,  began 
among  the  Tujcanes^  which  Tarquinius  Prifcus  fub- 
dued,  and  ufed  thefe  firft  by  the  permiffion  and 
licence  of  the  Senate.  The  12  Lidtours  or 
Sergeants,  Romulus  firil  appointed  after  the  manner 
of  the  12  Nations  of  the  Hetrurians,  whom  he 
conquered,  which  gave  to  every  of  their  kinds, 
when  he  was  crowned,  a  Lidour  or  Sergeant ; 
whofe  duty  was  to  wait  on  the  Magiftrates,  and 
bear  the  Rods,  and  Axe  of  Execution.  The  rods 
(as  Pliny  writeth)  were  of  birch.  The  inftitution 
of  Taxes  or  num bring  the  people,  Servius  Tullius 
King,  began  in  Rome  firft,  but  Mofes  long  before 
that  time  numbred  the  IJraelites,  and  therefore  the 
firft  Tax,   Subfidy,  or  Tribute,  was   ordained  by 


6o  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  2. 

Mofes  among  the   Hebrews,  and   the  counting  of 
the  number  of  the  people. 

Prifons,  Fetters,  Stocks,  Gyves,  Staves,  with 
like  inftruments  to  punifh  malefadors,  Ancus 
Martius  (as  Livy  faith)  did  firft  appoint  them  to 
keep  men  in  fear  and  good  order. 


CHAP.  IV. 


WHO  ORDERED  THE  YEAR,   THE    DIVERSITY  OF  IT, 

MONETHS,   NONES,    IDES,    KALENDS, 

AND   PRIME. 


H 


ERODOTUS  writeth  that  the  Egyptians 
firft  found  out  the  year  by  the  courfe  of  the  Planets, 
and  devided  it  into  twelve  Moneths.  Diodorus 
afligneth  it  to  the  Thebanes,  which  ftandeth  with 
the  opinion  of  Herodotus,  becaufe  the  Thebanes  be 
a  nation  of  Egypt,  and  Egypt  was  fometime 
named  Thebe,  Servius  faith  that  Eudoxus  found  it 
firft,  and  after  him  Hipparchus.  Laertius  afcribes 
it  to  Thales  a  Mile/tan,  which  (as  he  teftifieth)  firft 
perceived  the  feasons  and  times  of  the  year,  and 
parted  it  into  2^S  dayes,  but  that  was  onely  among 
the  Grecians.  Jo/ephus  witnefleth  that  the  year  was 
devifed  by  the  Hebrews  in  Mgypt,  before  Noahs 
floud.  There  be  divers  fafhions  of  dividing  the 
year;   The  Archadians  finiftied  their  year  in  three 


.Lib.  2.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  6i 

Moneths,  the  Carians  and  Acarnans  in  fix  Moneths; 
there  was  a  year  that  confifled  in  30.  dayes,  which 
was  counted  by  the  change  of  the  Moon,  there 
was  alfo  the  great  year  that  ended,  when  all  the 
Planets  returned  into  one  point  or  Line,  and  after 
the  mind  of  Cicero^  it  conteined  12954.  years  of 
the  Sun.  Jofephus  in  his  Antiquity  faith  it  con- 
tained but  six  hundred  years.  The  other  Grecians 
numbred  the  full  year  with  2  S3  ^^J^^-  Romulus 
firft  divided  the  year  into  ten  Moneths,  whereof 
March,  that  he  named  of  his  father,  was  firft. 
April  the  fecond  had  that  name  of  Venus,  because 
fhe  was  born  of  the  froth  of  the  Sea,  which  is 
called  Aphros :  May  of  the  Antient  men  :  June  of 
the  young  men  :  the  other  he  named  in  their  order, 
number,  at  ^intilis,  Sextilis,  September,  October, 
November,  December.  Albeit  afterward,  ^intilis 
was  called  Julius  in  honour  of  Julius  Ctejar,  and 
Sextilis  was  changed  into  Auguftus,  for  the  memoriall 
of  the  Emperour  Auguftus  C^Jar.  Notwithftanding, 
forafmuch  as  this  year  which  Romulus  ordered,  did 
neither  agree  to  the  courfe  of  the  Sun,  nor  changes 
of  the  adding  Moon;  Numa  applyed  it  to  the 
courfe  of  the  Moon  by  adding  i^G.  dayes,  whereof 
he  made  two  Moneths,  the  one  he  named  January 
of  Janus,  the  firft  king  of  the  Latins,  the  other 
February  of  their  god  Februus.  Afterward,  Numa, 
fuppofing  God  to  be  delighted  with  odd  numbers, 
gave  to  January,  Aprill,  June,  Auguft,  September, 
November,  December,  twenty  nine  dayes.  To  March, 
May,  ^intilis,  and  Sextilis,  that  is  July  and  October, 
thirty   one   dayes,   and   to  February  twenty   eight 


62  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  2. 

dayes.  Laft  of  all,  Julius  Cajar  put  to  the  whole 
year,  ten  dayes  and  fix  hours,  whereof  he  added  to 
thefe  Moneths,  January,  Auguft,  and  December, 
every  of  them  two  dayes:  and  to  April,  June, 
September,  and  November,  he  gave  to  each  of 
them  one  day.  In  this  manner  Julius  Cajar  ac- 
complifhed  the  year  perfedly,  according  to  the 
courfe  of  the  Sun  :  and  the  fix  hours  every  four 
years  amounteth  to  one  day,  which  caufeth  I.eap- 
Year  (as  we  call  it)  in  Latine  it  is  named  Bijfextus, 
becaufe  every  fourth  year  we  count  twice  fixth 
Calends  of  March. 

The  Moneths  have  their  name  becaufe  they 
meafure  the  courfe  of  the  Moon.  Thus  the  year 
hath  twelve  Moneths,  whereof  Aprill,  June,  Sep- 
tember, and  November  have  thirty  dayes,  all  the 
reft  hath  one  and  thirty  dayes,  faving  February, 
which  hath  but  twenty  eight.  In  the  year  be  52 
weeks  and  a  day.  There  be  2^^  dayes  and  fix 
hours.  The  Calends,  Nones,  Ides,  have  their 
appellations  of  the  manner  of  the  reckonning  of 
the  Romans.  The  firft  dayes  were  named  Kalends, 
from  ;€uXco,  to  call:  for  at  every  change  of  the 
Moon,  the  chief  Ruler  of  the  Sacrifices  (called 
Rex  Jacrijiculus^  affembled  all  them  of  the  Country 
o^  Rome,  in  the  Capitall,  and  ftiewed  them  their 
Feftivall  dayes,  and  what  it  was  lawfuU  to  do  that 
Moneth.  The  Nones  had  that  name ;  becaufe 
they  were  the  ninth  day  from  the  Ides,  which  Ides, 
be  the  middaves  of  every  Moneth,  and  had  their 
appellation  of  the  Hetrujians  Term  iduare,  that 
fignifieth  to   devide  in  the  middle.     This  faftiion 


Lib.  2.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  63 

of  counting  the  Moneths,  endured  to  the  450  year 
of  the  City,  and  was  kept  fecret  among  the  Bifhops 
of  their  Religion  till  the  time  that  C.  Flavius,  P. 
Sulpitius  Avario,  and  P.  Sempronicus  Sophilongus,  then 
being  Confulls,  againft  the  mind  of  the  Senators,  dif 
clofed  all  their  folemn  feaft,  publifhed  them  in  a 
Table  that  every  one  might  have  perfeverance  of 
them.  The  Prime,  whereby  we  find  the  Conjunc- 
tion of  the  Moon,  and  all  moveable  Feafls,  as 
Lent,  Eafter,  Whitfonday,  and  fuch  like,  was  in- 
vented by  the  great  Clark  Saint  Bernard,  or  of 
Julius  C^far,  as  appeareth  in  the  tenth  book  De 
divinis  ofEciis. 


CHAP.  V. 


WHO   ORDEYNED   THE    HOURS,    DYALS,  AND  CLOCKS, 
DEVIDING  THE    DAY  AND   NIGHT. 


H 


OURS,  which  being  in  number  24,  accom- 
plifh  the  fpace  of  a  day  and  night,  were  fo  named 
of  the  Sun,  which  in  the  Egyptians  language  is 
called  Horus.  They  at  the  firft  were  appointed  but 
12.  For  Hermes  Trifmegiftus,  perceiving  a  certain 
beaft  confecrated  to  their  god  Ser apis, to  make  water 
or  pifle  twelve  times  in  the  day,  at  equall  diftance, 


64  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  2. 

fuppofed  that  the  day  ought  to  be  devided  into 
twelve  hours. 

This  number  did  continue  long,  but  afterward 
the  day  was  divided  into  24  hours.  Anaximenes  a 
Milefian  found  in  Lacedemonia  the  firft  Dial,  that 
declared  the  hours  by  the  fhadow  of  the  Gnomon. 
It  was  long  before  they  were  ufed  in  Rome,  for  (as 
Pliny  writeth)  in  the  12  Tables,  there  was  onely 
rehearfed  the  rifing  and  going  down  of  the  Sun  : 
and  a  few  years  after,  Noon  or  Midday  was  added, 
which  the  Beadle  or  common  Crier  did  denounce. 
This  was  onely  on  clear  dayes,  when  they  might 
perceive  the  courfe  and  altitude  of  the  Sun.  The 
firft  Diall  was  fet  up  on  a  Pillar  openly,  which 
ftood  behind  the  common  Pulpit,  or  bar  called 
rojira,  at  the  coft  of  M.  Valerius  Mejjala^  then  Con; 
ful  in  the  firft  Punick  battel.  The  water-Dial  was 
ufed  firft  in  Rome  by  P.  Scipio  Naftca,  the  900th 
year  of  the  City,  to  divide  the  hours  of  the  day 
and  night.  Albeit  it  was  invented  by  Crefibius  of 
Alexandria.  Afterwards  Clocks  made  of  Metall 
were  invented  by  fubtil  wits,  and  fand-Dials  were 
made;  whofe  Authors  be  yet  unknown.  In  fome 
places  the  Clocks  ftrike  24  hours  by  order ;  in 
other  fome,  as  in  the  Weft  parts  of  the  World,  it 
fmiteth  twice  in  the  day.  In  fuch  order  tKat  the 
1 2th  hour  is  at  noon,  and  at  midnight.  The  dayes 
which  be  reckoned  diverfly  in  feveral  nations,  be- 
gan in  Egypt^  where  the  year  and  Moneths  were 
alfo  devifed,  they  take  all  the  fpace  from  midnight 
to  midnight  for  one  day,  and  the  Romans  ufed  the 
fame  manner.     For  the  Sunrifing  is  the  beginning 


Lib.  2.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  65 

of  all  affairs,  and  functions,  the  night  is  a  time  of 
Counfelling :  they  had  alfo  afTigned  to  every  hour 
a  fundry  Miniftry,  as  Martial  in  his  Epigram 
declareth. 

The  day  was  devided  in  fundry  wife. 

That  every  hour  had  a  feveral  office^ 

The  two  firji  ferved  for  falutation^ 

The  third  for  Lawyers  alteration^ 

Two  next  were  fpent  in  labour  diverfy^ 

The  ftxt  men  might  themf elves  reji  quietly. 

The  feventh^  of  Works  was  a  refolution^ 

The  Eighth  was  for  wrejilers  ;   and  in  Conclufion. 

The  ninth  was  limited  for  Mens  repaji^ 

And  fo  for  the  other ^  of  time  was  made  no  wajle. 

The  Babylonians  called  the  fpace  between  the 
Sun  rifings,  a  day :  the  Athenians  named  all  that 
was  between  the  going  down,  a  day.  The  Um- 
brians  count  their  day  from  noon  to  noon  :  but 
commonly  from  morning  till  night  is  called  a  day. 
The  night  was  devided  into  four  watches,  whereof 
every  one  (as  Hierome  witnefleth)  contained  three 
hours. 


CHAP    VI 


WHO     SET      FORTH      BOOKS    FIRST,    OR    MADE    A 

LIBRARY,    PRINTING,    PAPER,    PARCHMENT, 

OR    ART    OF    MEMORY. 


B 


OOKS  which  contain  the  Monuments  of  in- 
genious wits,  and  a  Regifter  of  all  Valiant  prowefle, 

9 


66  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  2. 

as  Laertius  thinketh,  were  firft  publifhed  in  Greece, 
Gellius  faith  it  was  Pifijiratus  that  made  the  firft 
book,  and  exhibited  it  to  be  read  openly.  Yttjqfe- 
phus  declareth  that  t\\Q.  Hebrews  and  Priefts  o^ Egypt 
and  Chaldee  fet  forth  Books  firft. 

The  Athenians  multiplyed  the  number  of  Books, 
which  Xerxes  carryed  from  thence  into  Perfta^  and 
Seleucus  king  of  Macedony  caufed  them  (many  years 
after)  to  be  conveighed  to  Athens  again.  After 
that,  Ptolomeus  King  of  Egypt  gathered  together 
700000  books,  which  were  all  burnt  at  the  battell 
of  Alexandria.  Nevertheleffe,  Straho  recordeth  that 
Ariftotle  did  inftitute  the  firft  Library,  and  left  it 
to  T'heophrajlus  his  Difciple,  and  taught  the  Kings 
of  AEgypt  how  they  f hould  order  their  Library  : 
T'heophraftus  left  it  to  Melus,  and  of  him  Scepjis 
received  it.  There  was  alfo  a  very  antient  Library 
at  Pergamus. 

In  Rome,  Afinius  Pollio  had  the  firft  Library,  which 
was  the  occafion  that  good  wits  employed  great 
ftudy  in  learning,  to  the  ample  furtherance  and 
commodity  of  that  Common-wealth.  There  be 
at  this  day  many  in  Italy,  but  the  moft  famous, 
is  the  Library  which  Frederick  Feltrius  Duke  of 
Urbine  did  caufe  to  be  edified.  Truely  the  com- 
modity of  Libraries  is  very  profitable  and  neceftary; 
but  in  comparifon  of  the  Art  of  Printing,  it  is 
nothing;  both  becaufe  one  man  may  Print  more  in 
one  day,  then  many  men  in  many  years  could  write  : 
And  alfo  it  preferveth  both  Greek  and  Latine 
Authors  from  the  danger  of  corruption.  It  was 
found  in   Germany  at  Mogunce  by   one  J.   Cuthem- 


Lib.  2.      .  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  67 

bergus  a  Knight;  he  found  moreover  the  Ink  by 
his  devife  that  Printers  ufe,  fixteen  years  after 
Printing  was  found,  which  was  the  year  of  our 
Lord,  1458,  one  Conradus  an  Almain  brought  it 
into  RomCy  and  Nicholas  John/on  a  Frenchman,  did 
greatly  polifh  and  garnifh  it:  And  now  it  is  dif- 
perfed  through  moil  parts  of  the  World. 

Before  the  ufe  of  Paper,  men  ufed  to  write  in 
leaves  of  Date-Trees,  and  fometimes  on  the  bark 
of  Trees.  Afterward  they  wrote  the  publique 
writings  in  plates  or  fheets  of  Lead,  and  their 
private  matters  in  Tables  and  wax,  for  tables  (as 
Homer  teftifieth)  were  before  the  fiege  of 'Troy. 
Paper  was  devifed  by  King  Alexander,  as  Varro 
affirmeth  ;  it  was  made  of  a  kind  of  fenny  Rufhes, 
that  grew  in  the  marifh  grounds  of  Egypt.  But 
Pliny  faith,  it  was  ufed  in  the  time  of  King  Numa, 
that  reigned  300  years  before  Alexander,  and  his 
books,  which  were  found  in  a  cheft  of  Hone  in  a 
field,  by  L.  Pitilius  a  Scribe,  were  written  in  Paper. 
In  procefTe  of  time,  paper,  that  we  ufe  now,  was 
invented;  it  is  made  of  linnen  cloath,  beaten 
together  in  Mills  for  that  ufe. 

Parchment,  as  Varro  witnefTeth,  was  found  in 
Pergamus:  albeit,  Jewifh  Hiftorians  (as  Jojephus 
fheweth)  ufed  Parchment:  they  wrote  alfo  in  Goat- 
skins and  fheep-skins  in  old  time,  as  Herodotus 
declareth. 

There  be  divers  manner  of  Papers,  as  Paper- 
royall.  Paper-demy,  blotting  paper,  marchants 
paper. 

The  ufage   of  writing   by  charaders,  is  very  an- 


♦^  68  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  2. 

cient,  and  was  found  by  Tyrotullius  Freman^  (as 
Eufebius  fuppofeth),  and  Julius  C^Jar  ufed  it  much 
in  fecret  and  privy  Counfels. 

The  Art  of  Memory  was  found  by  Simonides  in 
Theffaly:  For  when  he  was  invited  to  a  banquet  at 
a  Nobleman's  houfe,  called  Scopa,  it  chanced  that 
he  was  sent  for  to  fpeak  with  two  young  men  at 
the  gate,  and  ftraightway  the  Banquetting-houfe 
fell,  and  deftroyed  all  the  guefts.  Then  he,  be- 
caufe  he  remembred  in  what  order  and  place  every 
one  fate,  delivered  every  man  his  friend  to  be 
buried.  By  that  fad,  both  he  perceived  the  order 
of  the  Art  of  Memory,  and  what  commodity  came 
to  the  remembrance  of  man  by  fuch  an  Art. 
Cyrus,  king  of  Perfia,  excelled  in  Memory,  which 
could  call  every  man  in  his  Army  by  name.  Cyneas 
the  EmbafTadour  of  Pyrrhus  the  day  after  he  came 
to  Rome,  faluted  every  order  of  Nobles  by  their 
proper  names.  Mithridates  could  fpeak  11  lan- 
guages. Julius  C^sar  could  write,  read,  endite, 
and  hear  a  tale,  all  at  once.  Adrianus  the  Em- 
perour  could  do  the  same. 


kV 


CHAP.  VII, 


THE  BEGINNING  OF  WAR,   WITH   OTHER  THINGS 
CONCERNING  THE  SAME. 

yiK^V^-  I       V^  H I VALRY,  wherein   is  declared  the  manly 

^^»^      I      courage  of  noble  Captains,  was  devifed   (as  Tully 


\^ 


Lib.  2.  POLIDORE    VIRGIL.  69      . 

saith)  by  Pallas  :  the  manner  of  War  (as  Diodorus      \     j 
thinketh)    was   invented  by  Mars.     But   Jqfephus      [ 
telleth,  that  Tuhalcain^  which  was  before  the  floud, 
did  firft   pradice  feats  of  Arms  :  whereby   it  ap- 
peareth,  that  the  ufe  of  Wars  is  of  great  antiquity  ; 
but   it  is  uncertain   who   was  the   firft  Warriour. 
Before  the  finding  out  of  Weapons,  men  ufed  to 
fight  with  their   fifts,  feet,  and  biting.     And  thus       { 
began  battel,  as  Lucretius  writeth  : 

Hands  and  feet  ^  tooth  nail^ 
Were  firft  Weapons  in  hattail. 

Afterward  they  began  to  fight  with  Staves  and  i 
Clubs.  And  therefore  they  alTign  to  Hercules  3.  ; 
ftafF  and  a  Lyons  skin.  For  men  in  the  beginning 
ufed  ftaves  to  revenge  their  injuries  and  quarrels, 
and  covered  their  bodies  with  skins  of  wild  beafts 
inftead  of  Armour.  Palamedes  ordered  and  fet  men 
firft  in  array,  appointed  Watches  and  Warding  to 
be  kept,  and  Watch-words  in  the  battle  of  Troy. 
At  the  fame  time  Sinon  found  out  Beacons  and 
Fires.  Pliny  faith,  that  the  Phenicians  invented 
firft  the  Policies  of  War.  Diodorus  aflirmeth,  that 
Mars  forged  firft  weapons,  and  armed  Souldiers 
with  them,  and  therefore  the  finding  out  of  them, 
is  attributed  to  him  :  but  the  inftruments  of  War 
were  found  by  divers  men  at  fundry  times. 

Helmets,  Swords,  and  Spears,  the  Lacedemonians 
found :  yet  Herodotus  fuppofeth  the  Targets  and 
Salettes  to  be  the  invention  of  the  Egyptians,  and 
fo  to  have  come  into  Greece. 


70  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  2. 

The  Habergeon  was  devifed  by  Midias  Mejfenius^ 
fhields  by  Pretus  and  Acrifius^  as  they  fought  to- 
gether. 

Leg  harnefs  and  crefts  of  Salettes  were  invented 
by  the  Carians,  Javelins  and  Darts  with  thongs  or 
ftrings  by  Etolas  fon  to  Mars;  Bills  by  the  Thra- 
cians  ;  Jufting  Spears  and  More-Spikes,  by  Tyrr- 
henus ;  they  were  ufed  firft  in  the  fiege  of  Capua, 
that  Fulgius  Flaccus  layed  to  it.  Penthefilia  ima- 
gined Poleaxes,  and  Pylces.,  hunting  ftaves  :  bowe, 
Shafts,  and  Sythes,  Jupiter  s  fon  invented  :  although 
Diodorus  afcribeth  the  invention  of  them  to  Apollo, 
Artabanus^  whom  Eufebius  reciteth,  faith,  that  the 
invention  of  Armour,  began  by  Mojes ;  which 
being  very  young,  atchieved  the  firft  hardy  enter- 
prise againft  the  Ethiopians.  Of  all  Engines  of 
war,  the  Cretians  found  firft  the  Crofs-bows;  the 
Syrians^  Quarelles  or  Bolts :  and  the  Phcenicians 
found  Brakes  and  Slings.  Howbeit,  Vegetius  hold- 
eth  opinion,  that  Baleares^  a  people  which  dwell  in 
the  Spanifti  Seas,  ordained  Slings.  Cranes,  or 
Vernes,  to  wind  up  great  weights,  were  the  device 
of  Ctefiphon.  The  Ramme,  called  in  Latine,  Aries ^ 
wherewith  walls  be  overthrown,  was  made  by  Epeus 
at  Troy.  Artemo  Clazemonius  inftituted  the  Sough 
or  Tertife,  called  in  Latine,  Tejludo^  to  undermine 
Walls.  But  of  all  other  that  ever  were  devifed  to 
the  deftruction  of  man,  the  Guns  be  moft  devilifti, 
which  was  invented  by  a  certain  Almain^  whofe 
name  is  not  known  :  After  this  fort;  It  chanced, 
that  he  had  in  a  Morter,  Powder  of  Brimftone  that 
he  had  beaten  for  a  medicine,  and  covered  it  with 


Lib.  2.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  71 

a  ftone,  and  as  he  ftroke  fire,  it  fortuned  a  fpark  to 
fall  into  the  powder :  fuddenly  there  arofe  a  great 
flame  out  of  the  Morter,  and  lifted  up  the  ftone 
wherewith  it  was  covered,  a  great  heighth  :  And  after 
he  had  perceived  that,  he  made  a  Pipe  of  Iron,  and 
tempered  the  powder,  and  fo  finiflied  this  deadly 
Engine,  and  taught  the  Venetians  the  ufe  of  it; 
when  they  warred  at  Claudius  Dyke  againft  the 
Genuates,  which  was  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1380. 
For  this  Invention  he  received  this  benefit,  that 
his  name  was  never  known,  left  he  might  for  this 
abominable  devife,  have  been  cursed  and  evill 
fpoken  of  whileft  the  world  ftandeth. 

Bellerophon  (according  to  the  judgment  o(  Pliny) 
taught  firft  to  manage  and  ride  Horfes:  which 
rode  the  fwift  Pegafus  into  a  Mountain  of  Lybia, 
called  Chimera,  as  Biodorus  fuppofeth  it  was  Nep- 
tune, that  not  onely  taught  to  ride  horfes,  but  alfo 
(as  Lucane  fuppofeth)  brought  to  light  the  firft 
horfe.  Bridles,  bits,  horfe-harnefs,  or  trappers, 
the  Peletronians,  a  Nation  of  Theflaly,  found ; 
and  as  fome  think,  the  way  to  break  and  tame 
horfes,  was  learned  of  them ;  which  alfo  taught 
fiiooing  of  horfes.  Alfo  the  Numidians  rode  their 
horfes  without  faddles.  Carts  with  two  horfes,  and 
Waggons,  the  Phrygians  firfl:  ufed.  Chariots, 
Erichtho7iius  devifed  firfl:  in  Greece.  Fighting  on 
horfeback,  the  Centaures  found  in  TheJJ'aly.  Not- 
withftanding,  all  the  Commodities  of  fuch  beafts, 
as  Horfes,  Mules,  Afl!es,  and  all  other  bearing  and 
drawing  beafts  were  at  the  beginning.  For  it  is 
manifeft,  that  the  Egyptians  and  Hebrews,  Afly- 


?i  t^oUDORE  VlkGlL.  Lib.  i. 

rians  and  Arabians  ufed  them :  but  the  glorious 
Grecians  ufurp  all  to  their  own  glory  and  ambitious 
praife  and  commendation. 


CHAP.   VIII. 

THE      INSTITUTION     OF     OLYMPIADS,     WITH      OTHER 
SHEWS   AND   GAMES. 


T 


HERE  were  four  Principal  Playes  or  Shews 
in  Greece ;  whereof  the  moft  principal  was  Olym- 
piads: which  were  kept  every  fifth  year  in  the 
Mount  Olympus,  and  ordained  by  Hercules^  one 
of  the  five  brethren,  named  /^^/  DaByli,  in  honour 
and  remembrance  of  Jupiter.  In  this  game,  Cori- 
lus  an  Arcadian  wan  firft  the  prife  (as  Eujebius 
faith).  Pliny  affirmeth,  that  Hercules^  fon  oi  Alcu- 
menay  obtained  the  vidory  there  firft.  There  was 
wraftling,  running  with  horfes,  and  on  foot,  turny- 
ing,  leaping,  courfing  with  Chariots  ;  contention 
of  Poets,  Rhetoricians,  Mufitians,  and  difputa- 
tions  of  Philofophers.  The  manner  was  then  to 
proclaim  wars,  or  enter  leagues  of  peace:  the 
reward  of  the  victorious,  was  a  garland  of  Olive, 
which  Tree  grew  there  befide.  By  this  they  counted 
their  years,  as  the  Romans  did  by  Luftra  and  their 
Councels. 


Lib.  2.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL. 


73 


The  fecond  Shew  was  Pythii^  which  were  in 
honour  of  Apollo,  and  made  by  Apollo  himfelf,  in 
memorial  of  his  adivity,  in  vanquifhing  the  great 
Dragon  Python,  that  was  fent  by  Juno,  to  perfecute 
his  Mother  Latona. 

The  third  Game  was  Ifthmii,  devifed  by  Thejeus, 
in  the  worfhip  of  his  father  Neptunus,  as  Hercules 
had  done  by  Jupiter:  they  had  the  name  IJihmii,  of 
the  narrow  place  in  Greece,  that  Corinth  flood  in, 
where  the  Playes  were  celebrated,  befide  an  old 
Temple  of  Neptune,  environed  with  a  dark  Wood 
of  Peche-trees.  They  that  wan  the  maftery,  had 
a  garland  of  Pine-tree. 

The  fourth  game  was  Nemei,  named  of  the 
Forreft  Nemea.  Thefe  Feafts  the  Argivans  kept  in 
reverence  of  Hercules,  that  flew  their  mighty  Lion, 
whofe  skin  he  ware  for  his  Armour.  Pyrrhus 
dance  was  that  wherein  the  Lacedemonians  pradifed 
their  youth,  from  5  years  of  age,  as  a  preparative 
to  greater  affairs  of  war.  It  was  firfl  inftituted  in 
Creet  by  one  Pyrrhus,  that  was  one  of  the  Cibeles 
Priefts.  They  danced  it  in  armour,  and  with 
weapons  on  horfeback,  as  Solinus  teftifieth. 

Naked  games  were  firft  invented  by  Lycaon; 
Funeral  playes  by  Araftus;  wreftling  by  Mercury ; 
Dice,  Tables,  Tennis,  and  Cards,  were  found  of 
the  Lydians,  a  people  of  Afia,  and  begun  not  for 
any  Lucre  or  pleafure,  but  for  a  Common-wealth. 
For  when  their  Countrey  had  great  fcarfeneffe  and 
want  of  Corn,  infomuch  that  it  was  not  able  to 
fuffice  the  people,  they  mitigated  and  fwaged  their 
hunger  and  fcarcity,  by  taking  their  meat  moder- 
10 


74  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  i. 

ately  one  day,  and  by  applying  fuch  fports  and 
paftimes  the  next  day,  to  drive  away  the  tediouf- 
nefle  of  their  famine  and  hunger.  The  Chefle 
were  invented  the  year  of  the  world  3635.  by  a 
certain  Wife  man  called  Xerxes,  to  declare  to  a 
Tyrant,  that  Majefty  or  Authority  without  ftrength, 
affiftance,  and  help  of  his  fubjeds,  was  cafual,  feeble, 
and  fubjed  to  many  calamities  of  fortune;  his  in- 
tent was  to  break  the  fierce  cruelty  of  his  heart,  by 
fear  of  fuch  dangers  as  might  come  to  pafTe  in  the 
life  of  man.  There  is  a  game  alfo  that  is  played 
with  the  poftern  bone,  in  the  hinder  foot  of  a  fheep, 
Oxe,  Goat,  Fallow  or  red  Dear,  which  in  Latine 
is  called  Talus,  It  hath  four  chances,  the  ace-point 
(that  is  named  Canis,  or  Caniculd)  was  one  of  the 
fides,  he  that  caft  it,  layed  down  a  penny,  or  fo 
much  as  the  games  were  agreed  on,  the  other  fide 
was  called  Venus,  that  fignifieth  7.  he  that  caft  the 
chance,  wan  fix,  and  all  that  was  layed  down,  for 
the  cafting  of  Canis.  The  two  other  fides  were 
called  Chius  and  Senio:  He  that  did  throw  Chius 
wan,  3.  And  he  that  caft  Senio,  gained  4.  This 
game  (as  I  take  it)  is  ufed  of  children  in  Norfolk, 
and  they  call  it  the  chance-bone;  they  play  with 
three  or  four  of  thofe  bones  together:  It  is  either 
the  fame,  or  very  like  to  it. 

There  was  a  game  at  the  Dice  called  Vulturju, 
and  Hercules  Bqfilicus,  that  Plautus  maketh  mention 
of:  but  the  inventours  of  thofe  games  be  yet  un- 
known, albeit,  it  feemeth  to  be  a  device  of  the 
Romans;   and  likewife   the  Author  of  the  game. 


Lib.  2.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  75 

named  odd  or  even,  and  holding  up  of  hands  or 
fingers  is  uncertain. 

There    be    fome   that   refer   the   finding  of  the 
Cards  and  ChefTe  to  the  noble  Palamedes, 


L 


CHAP.  IX. 

CERTAIN   PLAYES   OF  THE   ROMANES. 


UPERCAL  was  a  Cave  at  the  foot  of  the 
mount  Palatine,  hallowed  to  Pan  a  Myfticall  god 
of  the  Arcadians^  where  the  cuftome  was  to  facrifice 
a  dog,  becaufe  he  fhould  keep  the  Wolf  from  their 
folds. 

The  oblation  was  made  in  February,  after  this 
rite  and  faihion.  The  young  men  all  naked,  ran 
and  courfed  about  wantonly  and  lafcivioufly,  in 
honour  of  Pan,  with  whips  and  fcourges,  in  their 
hands  :  and  the  Women  offered  themfelves,  to  be 
beaten  with  their  fcourges,  fuppofing  that  it  helped 
to  the  fruitfullneffe  of  Children  :  This  paftime  was 
inftituted  by  Evander^  that  came  out  o^  Arcadia, 
Marcus  Antonius,  in  this  play  being  naked,  fet  the 
Diadem  on  Julius  C^Jars  head. 

There  was  alfo  another  Shew  called  Circenjis, 
which  were  celebrated  in  a  place  walled  about, 
named  Circus,  where  was  ufed  fighting,  and  Cour- 
fing  of  Horfes,  and  running  with  Charets. 


1(^ 


POLIDORE    VIRGIL. 


Lib.    2. 


^ 


voW 


The  Circus  that  we  name  Lifles  or  Tiltes,  were 
of  great  length,  and  had  barres  where  the  race 
fhould  begin,  and  at  the  other  end  was  the  Wager 
fet,  that  they  ran  for  :  there  was  ufed  in  the  fame 
place  tournying  :  Thefe  were  long  ufed  among  the 
Romans^  and  had  the  title  of  great  playes  or  games. 

The  third  kind  of  Playes  were  Saturnalia^  which 
continued  five  dayes  in  December,  and  were  kept 
very  coftly  and  fumptuoufly  with  great  fport  and 
gladneffe,  and  continual  feafts,  and  ufually  pre- 
fented  one  another  with  gifts. 

It  was  alfo  the  manner  in  thofe  Feftivall  dayes, 
that  fervants  fhould  have  equall  power  in  things, 
and  like  authority,  and  fit  at  the  Table  with  their 
Mafl:ers,  becaufe  in  Saturns  time,  all  things  were 
ufed  in  common.  Janus  ordained  them  in  honour 
of  Saturnus  (as  Macrobius  declareth)  and  fome  fay 
they  began  in  Athens. 

There  was  alfo  another  game  of  Sword-players 
unarmed :  the  occafion  of  this  begininng  was  be- 
caufe the  Romans  when  they  went  to  war,  fhould 
fee  Fighting,  Wounds,  and  Swords,  to  the  intent 
they  fhould  be  the  lefTe  afraid  of  their  enemies 
armed,  or  be  difcouraged,  when  they  faw  the 
bloudy  Wounds  in  the  Field,  therefore  the  Chief 
Captain  or  Lievtenant  of  the  Hoft,  fhould  exhibite 
to  the  people,  a  Game  of  Fencing  of  Sword-players. 


CHAP.  X. 

WHO   FOUND   TRUCE,    LEAGUES,    SUNDRY   KINDS 
OF  MAKING  TRIUMPHS  AND   OVATIONS. 


T 


RUCE  (that  is  called  a  Covenant  of  Peace 
for  a  feafon)  was  inftituted  by  Lycaon;  it  was  taken 
fometimes  for  years,  as  the  Romans  took  truce  with 
the  Veientes  for  fourty  years  ;  with  the  Cerites  for 
an  hundred:  fometimes  Truce  was  made  for  hours, 
as  Cuius  Pontius,  a  Samnite,  required  of  the  Dic- 
tator of  Rome,  truce  for  fix  hours.  Leagues  of 
peace,  Thefeus  did  ordain  in  Greece ;  but  Biodorus 
afligneth  it  to  Mercury.  Neverthelefle,  they  were 
in  frequent  ufe  long  before  that  time  in  AfTyria 
and  Egypt,  and  namely  among  the  Hebrews.  For 
Jacob  made  a  league  with  Laban.  And  Mojes 
offered  conditions  of  peace  to  the  Princes  of  the 
Countries,  by  whom  he  paffed:  and  after  him,  Jojhua 
confirmed  a  bond  of  peace  with  the  Gibeonites. 
Therefore  it  is  a  great  difficulty  to  know  the  in- 
ventor of  it.  There  were  divers  fafhions  of  making 
Leagues,  as  the  Romans  manner  was  thus  ;  The 
Herauld  of  Arms  at  commandement  of  the  King, 


78  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  2. 

took  a  hogg  appointed  for  that  purpofe,  and  fmote 
him,  faying;  So  let  Jupiter  fmite  him,  that  dis- 
annulleth  this  holy  league.  But  Polybius  writeth, 
that  the  Herauld  took  a  (lone  in.  his  hand,  and 
faid  ;  If  I  perform  and  ftand  to  the  Covenant  of 
this  league,  without  guile  or  fraud,  the  gods  give 
me  all  things  profperous.  If  1  either  do  or  think 
the  contrary,  I  pray  God  that  I  alone  be  deftroyed 
and  caft  away,  as  I  caft  this  ftone  from  me ;  and 
forthwith  he  threw  down  the  ftone.  When  the 
Arabians  made  a  league  of  peace,  there  ftood 
one  between  the  two  parties,  that  did  cut  it  with  a 
fharp  ftone,  the  hollow  of  the  hand  of  the  confede- 
rates, and  with  the  blood  that  i flu ed  out,  he  anointed 
feven  ftones  that  ftand  between  them,  with  raggs 
taken  out  of  their  garments,  and  invoketh  Dionyjius 
?LndUrania  their  gods:  then  the  Solliciter  giveth 
furety  for  the  ftranger  or  Citizen  that  was  of  his 
part.  The  like  order  was  ufed  in  Amities  made 
among  friends. 

The  Scythians  made  Leagues  after  this  manner : 
They  filled  a  bowl  of  Wine,  and  mingled  it  with 
the  bloud  of  him  that  fliould  enter  the  bond  of 
peace,  and  then  they  wet  their  Arrows,  Axes,  Hal- 
berds and  Darts  in  the  Bowl :  that  done,  they  with 
many  words  vowed  and  curfed  themfelves,  and  fo 
drunk  the  Wine,  both  they,  and  all  the  Nobles 
prefent.  The  fame  ufe  was  among  traytors  in  their 
Confpiracies  at  Rome. 

The  Barceans  confented  on  their  leagues  thus : 
they  made  their  day  of  Confederacy,  over  a  cave 
very  privy,  and  fo  long  as  the  earth  continued,  fo 


Lib.  1.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  79 

the  pad  endured.  Bionyftus,  which  was  replenifhed 
with  the  fpoyls  of  many  Countries,  led  the  firft 
Triumph;  and  afterward,  it  was  received  of  fun- 
dry  Nations,  as  the  Captains  of  Carthage,  when 
they  fped  well,  triumphed.  In  Rome,  Romulus, 
after  he  had  conquered  Aeron  King  of  Cenineus 
crowned  with  Laurell  and  carryed  in  a  Chariot  with 
four  horfes,  entred  into  the  City  triumphantly. 
And  dedicated  his  prey  and  fpoyls  to  Jupiter,  as 
Dionyftus  writeth.  Albeit,  Eutropius  faith,  that 
Tarquinius  Prifcus  firft  triumphed  of  the  conquest 
of  the  Sabines,  CamtUusXtd.  the  firft  folemn  triumph 
with  white  horfes,  a  gilded  Chariot,  and  a  Garland 
of  gold,  with  all  the  Captains  following  the 
Chariot,  with  chains  and  Fetters  about  their  necks. 
And  the  Senate  going  before  into  the  Capitol  of 
Jupiter  s  Temple,  where  they  offered  a  white  Bull, 
and  then  returned.  It  was  lawful  for  none  to 
triumph,  but  fuch  as  were  Dictator,  Conful,  or 
Pretor.  Albeit,  Cneius  Pompeius,  being  but  of  the 
Order  of  Knights,  triumphed,  as  Cicero  telleth. 

Ovation  is  a  lefTe  Royalty  then  Triumphs,  and 
was  the  worftiip  of  fuch,  as  had  ended  any  battel, 
or  atchieved  any  Feat  without  blood-ftiedding;  or 
when  the  battel  lacked  any  of  the  due  circumftan- 
ces  of  appointing.  They  that  came  into  the  city 
with  that  pomp,  were  crowned  with  a  garland  of 
Myrtill ;  And  went  on  foot  into  the  Capitol, 
all  the  Senate  following  him,  and  there  offered  a 
llieep.  The  firft  that  had  any  Ovation,  was 
Pojlhumius  Tubertus.  The  Lacedemonians  when 
they  vanquifhed  their  enemies  by  craft,  policy,  or 


do  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  2. 

deceit,  offered  a  Bull:  when  they  did  valiantly 
fubdue  them  by  force  of  Arms,  they  facrificed  a 
Cock,  according  to  their  manner  of  triumph:  Read 
Appianus  Livius,  or  Julius  Capitolinus. 


CHAP.  XI 


GARLANDS     OR    CROWNS,   THE     DIVERSITY    OF    THEM, 
AND  OF  OYNTMENTS. 

jL  liny  teftifieth,  that  Bacchus  did  firft  invent 
and  wear  a  garland  made  of  Ivy  on  his  head  :  and 
after  it  was  taken  in  a  cuftome,  that  when  they 
facrificed  to  any  of  the  gods,  they  were  to  be 
crowned  with  a  garland,  and  the  oblation  likewife. 
Notwithftanding,  I  find  that  the  ufe  of  Garlands 
or  Crowns,  is  of  more  antiquity  than  Bacchus. 
For  Mqfes,  that  was  many  years  before  him,  made 
many  Crowns  and  Garlands  of  gold.  At  the  firft, 
the  manner  was,  in  all  Playes  and  Sacrifices,  to 
make  Garlands  of  boughs  of  Trees.  And  after  they 
were  garnifhed  with  variety  of  flowers  among  the 
Sictonians  by  Pqfias,  and  G  lie  era  his  leman.  Not 
long  after.  Winter  Garlands,  that  be  called  Egyp- 
tian, which  are  made  of  wood  or  Ivory,  did  with 
many  colours,  began  to  be  had  in  ufe.  And  in 
procefs,  they  made  Crowns  of  brafen  plates  gilt  or 


Lib.  2.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  8i 

covered  with  filver,  called  for  ther  thinnefs,  gar- 
lands. Laftly,  Crajfus  the  Rich  did  firft  fet  forth, 
in  his  Games  and  Shews,  Crowns  with  filver  and 
golden  leaves.  And  confequently  there  were  in- 
vented many  manner  of  Crowns.  As  the  trium- 
phant Crown,  that  the  Emperour  or  grand  Captain 
ware  in  his  triumph  ;  this  was  firft  made  of  Olive, 
and  afterward  of  gold.  The  murall  or  wall  crown, 
that  was  given  to  him  that  fcaled  firft  the  Walls. 
The  Camp-Crown,  that  was  the  reward  of  him 
that  entred  firft  in  Arms,  into  the  Camp  of  his 
enemies.  Naval  or  Sea-Crown,  which  was  fet  on 
his  head,  that  firft  boarded  his  enemies  fhip.  And 
all  thefe  were  of  gold.  The  Obfidionall  Crown, 
that  was  worn  of  him  that  delivered  a  City  be- 
fieged,  and  was  made  of  GrafTe.  There  was  alfo 
a  Civill  Crown,  which  was  a  Sovereignty  that  a 
Citizen  gave  to  him,  that  had  valiantly  preferved 
him  from  his  enemies;  this  was  made  of  Oaken 
branches.  And  this  manner  of  Crown  the  Athe- 
nians did  firft  devife,  and  gave  it  to  Pericles.  There 
were  moreover  Crowns  of  Pearls,  Trench  Crowns 
and  Garlands,  compofed  of  the  ears  of  Corn,  which 
as  Pliny  witneffeth,  was  firft  in  ufe  among  the 
Romans.  But  Garlands  made  of  Cynamon,  woven 
and  imboffed  with  gold,  Vefpaftanus  did  firft  con- 
fecrate  in  the  Capitol,  in  the  Temple  of  Peace. 

In  fome  fpace  of  years,  the  excefie  of  Crowns 
was  fuch,  that  the  Grecians  in  their  Banquets, 
crowned  both  their  heads  and  Cups  alfo,  whereof 
the  lonians  were  authors.  By  this  fort  of  Crowns, 
Cleopatra  empoifoned  Antonie,  as  Pliny  writeth. 
II 


82  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  2. 

And  Artaxerxes  ufed  Crowns   of  Garlands  in  his 
Feafts:  to  this  ^/rg-/// alluded  in  his  ^Eneides, 

They  Jet  forth  their  golden  goblettes^ 
And  crowned  them  with  frefh  chaplettes, 

Oyntments  (as  Jofephus  writeth)  (though  Pliny 
faith  the  contrary)  were  ufed  long  before  the  battel 
of  Troy;  for  Jacob  fent  to  his  fon  Jofeph  in  Egypt 
oyntments:  and  Mojes^  that  was  three  hundred  and 
fifty  year  before  the  fiege  of  Troy^  maketh  mention 
of  Oyntments,  concerning  the  fanctification  of  the 
Tabernacle,  and  Priefts  of  the  Old  Teftament: 
Albeit,  it  is  not  known,  who  was  the  firft  devifer 
of  them.  Pliny  and  Solinus  report,  that  Alexander^ 
when  he  wan  the  Camp  of  Darius^  found  among 
other  Jewels  and  fpoyls  a  casket  of  oyntments, 
that  much  pleafed  him.  But  Herodotus  doth  de- 
clare, that  it  was  in  frequent  ufe  before  Darius^ s 
time.  For  Cambyfes,  fon  to  Cyrus^  fent  EmbafTa- 
dours  to  Mthiopus  King  of  the  Macrobians,  with 
great  prefents,  whereof  a  box  of  Oyntments  was  a 
parcel.  When  the  King  had  learned  the  manner 
of  the  confedion  of  it,  he  contemned  and  negleded 
it,  as  a  thing  of  no  value.  It  is  not  certain  when 
they  came  into  Rome:  but  I  find  in  Pliny,  that  the 
565th  year  of  the  City,  Antiochus  being  vanquifhed, 
and  Afta  fubdued  and  conquered,  P.  Licinius  Crajfus^ 
and  Julius  C^/ar,  then  Cenfors,  commanded  that 
no  forraign  nor  flrange  Confedion  of  oyntments 
fhould  be  fold  in  the  City. 


CHAP.  XII. 

WHO    FOUND  OUT    METALS,   SMITHS,    COALS,    FIRE, 
CANDLES,   AND    BELLOWS. 


O 


F  all  Metall  wherein  worldly  fubflance 
confifteth.  Gold,  that  all  men  forely  Covet  to  have, 
is  the  moft  precious.  For  the  defire  hereof,  they 
have  digged  in  the  deep  bottomelefTe  Abyfle  of  the 
Earth,  and  at  the  length  (as  Phalerius  faid)  they  will 
dig  Pluto  out  of  hell  for  it.  And  Diogenes  when 
he  was  asked  why  Gold  looked  fo  pale,  anfvvered 
very  well,  faying;  Becaufe  it  hath  many  that  lye  in 
wait  for  it.  Cadmus^  as  Pliny  affirmeth,  found  it  in 
the  Mount  Pangeus  in  Thrace  or  as  fome  think,  it 
was  Thoas,  and  Eaclis  that  invented  it  in  Panchaia. 
Silver,  Erichthonius  of  Athens  or  Ceacus  found  out. 
They  report  that  Gold  was  found  in  Pageus, 
becaufe  there  is  great  plenty  in  that  hill,  as  Herodotus 
doth  write.  The  five  brethren  named  Idei  DaElyli^ 
found  Iron  in  Greet.  Midacritus  brought  lead  out 
of  the  I  (lands  againft  Spain,  called  Cajfitrides,  as 
Strabo  declareth,  Brafle  was  found  by  Cinirs,  in 
the  I  fie  of  Cyprus;  and  Solinus  faith    it  was  found 


84  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  2. 

in  Creet^  Ciniras  alfo  devifed  the  Tongs,  File,  and 
Lever.  Notwithstanding  Clement  faith,  that  Selemen- 
tes  and  Damnameneus^  two  Jews,  found  Iron  firft 
in  Cyprus,  and  the  Pannonians  BrafTe.  Ariftotle 
holdeth  opinion,  that  Lydus  a  Scythian  firft  taught 
to  melt  and  work  BrafTe,  Theophrajius  thinketh  it 
was  De/aSy  a  Phrygian.  Strabo  writeth  that  a  certain 
people  named  Thelchines,  wrought  Iron  and  BrafTs 
firft,  and  they  made  a  Sword  named  Harp,  which 
they  gave  to  Saturn, 

The  Smiths  Forge  fome  think  the  Calyhians 
found,  and  fome  fuppose  it  were  the  Cyclopes,  which 
firft  ufed  the  Smiths  craft. 

Biodorus  holdeth  an  opinion,  that  Idei  Da5lyli 
and  Vulcanas  were  Authors  of  Iron,  BrafTe,  Silver, 
Gold,  and  all  mettals  that  are  wrought  with  the 
fire. 

Sothering  of  Iron,  Glaucus  found;  and  Cadmus, 
melting  of  Gold.  But  I  take  it  that  all  thefe  before 
named  found  the  ufe  of  fuch  things  in  their  own 
Countries.  For  the  ufe  of  all  fuch  mettall  was  per- 
ceived in  the  beginning  of  the  World  by  Tubulcain, 
which  was  fon  to  La?nech  and  occupied  Smith-craft. 
Clement  referreth  the  tempering  of  Iron  to  Delas. 

Fire  is  fuppofed  to  be  the  invention  of  Vulcanus : 
ViBruvius  faith  that  the  Trees  tofTed  and  fhaken 
with  Winds,  by  beating  together  of  their  boughs 
excited  fire.  But  it  had  been  more  convenient  to 
have  afcribed  it  to  the  gift  of  God,  which  gave  it 
to  man  to  be  a  remedy  againft  the  danger  of  cold. 

Pirodes  firft  ftroke  fire  out  of  Flint;  Prometheus 
taught  firft  to  keep  it  in  Matches. 


Lib.  2.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  85 

Pliny  telleth  how  the  Spies  in  Armies  and  Camps, 
or  elfe  the  Shepheards  devifed  to  fmite  fire  by  rub- 
bing of  two  pieces  of  Wood  together.  Laurel  and 
Ivy  be  beft  for  that  ufe.  Bellows  were  found  by 
Anacharfis  as  ^S'/r^i'^  witnefleth ;  Candles  the  Egyp- 
tians invented. 


CHAP.    XIIL 


WHO  ORDEYNED    COYNES,    LOOKING   GLASSES,    RINGS, 
WITH    PRECIOUS   STONES. 


C 


OYN,  of  what  mettal  foever  it  was  made, 
(as  it  appears  by  Jofephus)  is  very  antient;  For 
Cain,  Adams  fon  was  very  greedy,  in  gathering  to- 
gether of  money:  Herodotus  writeth  that  the 
Lydians  firfl  coyned  Silver  and  Gold  to  buy  and 
fell  with.  For  before  the  fiege  of  'Troy,  as  Homer 
witnefleth,  men  ufed  to  change  one  commodity  for 
another.  Yet  in  the  time  of  Abraham,  there  was 
Money  currant,  for  he  bought  the  Cave  to  bury  his 
Wife  Sarah,  of  the  Hittite,  Ephron,  for  400  Shekels 
of  Silver,  which  was  before  the  fiege  of  Troy  many 
years. 

In  Rome  the  firft  coyn  of  Gold  was  made  in 
the  547th  year  of  the  City,  and  it  was  named  a 
Duckat   and  after,   it  began  to  be  ufed  in  many 


86  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  2. 

places  at  fundry  times.  Phedon  began  Silver  coin 
in  the  I  fie  Egina,  It  was  minted  in  Rome,  in 
the  484th  year  after  the  City  was  builded  :  the  print 
of  it  was  a  Chariot  with  two  horfes,  and  fome  with 
four.  Janus  did  caufe  BrafTe  to  be  coyned,  with  a 
face  on  the  one  fide,  and  a  fhip  on  the  other  fide, 
to  the  intent  to  gratify  SatU7'nus  {^^hAzh.  arrived  there 
in  a  fhip)  by  fetting  forth  his  memory  to  their  pof- 
terity  and  fucceflburs.  Servius  Tullius  firft  coyned 
Brafie  with  an  Image  of  a  fheep  and  an  Oxe.  Look- 
ing GlafTes  of  Silver  were  devifed  by  Praxiteles  in 
the  time  of  Pompeius  Magnus:  There  were  alfo  in- 
vented looking  GlafTes  of  Steel,  Lead,  Chryflal- 
GlafTe,  and  mingled  flufFe,  wherein  we  behold  our 
vifages.  Though  it  is  uncertain  who  did  firft  find 
them,  yet  Pliny  faith  that  one  Sidon  invented  them 
of  Glafte.  Rings  with  a  piece  of  ftone  wrought  in 
them,  be  reported  of  Pliny  to  have  been  made  of 
Jupiter,  to  keep  in  memory  the  punifhment  of  Pro- 
metheus, for  that  he  deluded  the  gods  of  the  Ele- 
ment of  fire  and  did  traduce  it  to  mans  ufe,  but 
that  is  a  fable  not  to  be  credited.  The  ufe  of  Rings 
and  precious  flones  is  of  great  antiquity,  for  I  read 
in  Genefts  that  Judah  gave  his  daughter  in  Law  Tha- 
mar  a  Ring,  and  broches,  as  pledges  of  his  promife. 
And  Mojes,  who  was  300  years  before  the  battel  of 
Troy,  fpeaketh  of  Rings  and  precious  ftones  for 
making  of  the  Ark  and  veflures  oi  Aaron,  as  Oriches 
and  Smaragdus,  or  Emrode.  In  Rome  at  the  firft 
they  ufed  Rings  of  Iron  every  man  faving  the  Tri- 
bunes. It  was  long  before  the  Senatours  had  any 
Rings    of   Gold,  and   as  Macrobius  writeth,  they 


Lib.  2.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  87 

ufed  them,  not  fo  much  for  trimming  and  decking 
of  themfelves,  as  to  feal  letters  with  them;  info- 
much  that  it  was  not  permitted  to  any  man  to  have 
more  than  one,  and  that  was  allowed  to  none  but 
Freemen.  Afterwards  they  began  to  grave  Seals  in 
precious  ftones.  And  leaft  they  jfhould  be  broken 
with  ftreffe,  they  ware  them  on  the  finger  of  the  left 
hand,  that  is  next  the  little  finger,  becaufe  the  left 
hand  is  not  put  to  fo  much  labour  as  the  right  hand, 
or  elfe  (as  Macrobius  faith)  becaufe  there  goeth  a 
Vein  from  that  finger  to  the  Heart.  Rings  alfo 
were  ufed  and  worn  of  the  Knights  in  Rome,  that 
by  them  they  might  be  diftinguifhed  and  known 
from  the  common  fort  of  people. 


CHAP.  XIV. 


I 


THE   ORIGINAL   OF   GLASSE,    AMBER,   VERMILION, 
MIRRHE,   AND   CRYSTALL. 


N  Phcenice,  which  is  a  part  of  Syria,  at  the  foot 
of  the  Mount  Carmel,  there  is  a  Pool  called  Candebea^ 
whereof  the  River  Belus  fpringeth,  in  the  which, 
Glaffe,  as  Fliny  writeth,  is  ingendred.  For  it  is 
reported  that  on  a  time  when  a  Merchants  Ship, 
that  was  fraighted  with  Salt-peeter  (for  fo  fome 
expound  nitrum)  arrived  there ;  and  as  they  pre- 
pared their  meat  on  the  fands  and  Seabanks :  It 


88  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  2. 

fortuned  that  becaufe  they  had  no  ftore  of  ftones  to 
bear  up  their  Veflels,  wherein  they  fod  their  meat, 
they  took  great  pieces  of  Nitre  out  of  their  Ship  to 
fet  their  Viduals  on,  which  after  they  chanced  to 
be  on  fire,  and  mingled  with  the  fand,  there  ran 
bright  flakes  of  this  precious  Liquor.  By  this 
River  is  Menons  Tomb,  and  as  Jqfephus  writeth, 
the  nature  of  that  water  is  to  turn  and  transform 
other  metals  into  glaffe.  Amber,  as  Diodorus  wit- 
nefTeth,  was  found  in  the  Ifle  Baftlia,  which  lyeth 
againft  Scythia,  above  Galatia,  in  the  great  Ocean, 
Avhere  it  was  firft  caft  up,  and  was  never  feen  nor 
found  in  any  other  place  before.  Vermilion  or 
Red  Lead  was  found  in  Ephefus,  by  Gallius  an 
Athenian.  And  it  was  in  Rome  counted  and  taken 
for  holy,  infomuch  that  on  their  Feaftival  dayes, 
they  painted  the  face  of  Jupiter s  Image  with  it,  and 
the  bodies  of  them  that  triumphed ;  and  Camillus 
triumphed  fo,  as  Pliny  witnefleth.  Myrrh,  which  is 
an  humour  congealed  and  conftipated  together  with 
heat,  Cometh  out  of  the  East  parts,  and  namely  out  of 
Carmania :  Pompeius  in  his  triumph  of  the  Pyrates 
and  Robbers  on  the  Sea,  brought  it  firft  into  Rome. 
Cryftal  is  a  ftone  that  is  congealed  of  pure  water, 
not  with  cold,  but  by  a  power  of  divine  heat,  where- 
by it  retaineth  its  hardnefTe,  and  never  relenteth  or 
melteth,  and  receiveth  divers  colours,  and  this  is 
the  opinion  o^  Diodorus.  But  Pliny  fuppofeth  that 
it  commeth  of  the  Ice,  extreamly  Frozen.  Never- 
theleffe  it  is  uncertain  who  found  it. 


c 


CHAP.  XV. 

the  beginning  of  imagery;   and  of 
Alexander's  image. 


ONCERNING  the  ufe  of  making  Images, 
from  whence  it  came,  Authors  differ  and  vary. 
For  Macrobius  citeth  one  Epicardus^  that  faith,  it 
began  of  a  superftition  of  Hercules,  who,  according 
to  the  number  of  his  companions,  whom  he  loft  in 
his  Voyage  into  far  Countries,  when  he  came  home 
into  Italy,  made  Images  of  them,  and  caft  them 
down  at  the  Bridge  Sublicius,  into  Tyber,  to  the 
intent  they  fhould  be  carried  into  their  natural 
Countries,  thinking  that  to  be  a  juft  Funeral. 
Nevertheleffe,  he  taketh  it,  that  they  came  rather 
of  the  cuftome  of  the  Arcadians,  which,  as  Diodorus 
writeth,  in  their  wandring  abroad,  repaired  into 
Italy,  and  builded  a  Chappel  to  Pluto,  and  an  Altar 
to  Saturnus ;  where  they  pacified  Pluto  with  the 
heads  of  men  and  burned  the  bodies  to  Saturn, 
For  fo  they  expounded  their  Oracle, 

Et  capita  inferno,  et  patri  tranfmittite  lumen. 

Give  heads  to  Pluto  the  God  infernal. 
And  Saturn  his  father  the  fire  luftral. 
12 


90  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  2. 

The  facrifices  that  were  offeredto  Saturn,  were 
named  Saturnalia.  After,  Hercules  as  he  pafTed 
through  Italy,  when  he  had  conquered  and  fubdued 
Gerion,  advertifed  them  to  change  that  unlucky 
facrifice  into  fortunate  oblations,  and  taught  them 
to  make  Images  of  heads  of  men  to  Pluto:  And 
to  light  Tapers  of  Wax  in  honour  of  Saturn. 
Lactantius  faith,  Prometheus  made  firft  Images  of 
foft  Clay,  and  taught  the  way  to  make  ftatues ; 
Some  fay,  as  Diodorus  writeth,  that  the  Ethiopians 
found  the  firft  ufe  of  Images,  and  of  them  the 
Egyptians  learned. 

Notwithstanding  I  find  that  Images  were  long 
before  that  time ;  For  Rachel,  when  her  Husband 
fled  out  of  Mefcpotamia,  from  Laban  his  Father  in 
Law,  did  fteal  away  her  fathers  gods.  And  fome 
think  that  men  took  occafion  from  God  to  make 
Images,  who  willing  to  fhew  to  the  grofle  wits  of 
men,  fome  representation  of  himself,  took  on  him 
the  fhape  of  man  ;  fo  Abraham  and  Jacob  faw  him. 
And  the  Scripture  feemeth  in  fundry  places  to 
attribute  to  him  hands,  feet,  eyes,  and  ears,  which 
be  parts  and  members  of  men.  And  by  this  means 
men  received  the  manner  of  making  Images  of  God, 
becaufe  to  keep  him  in  frefh  memory.  And  this 
is  the  true  Original  of  Imagery.  Spurius  Cajfiuss 
made  in  Rome  the  Image  of  Ceres  in  brafle.  After- 
wards ftatues  of  men  were  made,  to  excite  and 
encourage  valiant  hearts  to  high  enterprifes.  And 
for  that  caufe  the  Athenians  fet  up  the  Images  of 
Hermodius  and  Ariftogiton,  that  flew  and  expulfed 
the  Tyrants.     Leontinus  Gorgias,  made  himfelf  an 


Lib.  2.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  91 

Image  of  pure  Gold,  not  hollow,  firft ;  and  fet  it 
in  Delphos  the  78th  Olympiad.  Pharnaces  caufed 
one  to  be  made  of  Silver  like  himfelf,  which 
Pompey  in  his  Triumph  removed.  In  Italy ^  M. 
Attilius  Glabrio,  made  the  firft  ftatue  of  Gold  on 
horfeback  in  remembrance  of  his  Father :  There 
were  alfo  Images  made  of  BrafTe,  Ivory,  Wood, 
and  Marble, 

The  manner  of  the  Romans  was  to  fet  up  their 
Images  covered,  but  the  Grecians  ufed  to  form  them 
naked,  and  the  Romans  alfo  had  a  Rite  to  burn  in- 
cenfe,  and  light  Tapers  before  them.  In  this  Art 
many  were  very  expert,  as  Pliny  rehearfeth.  But 
Phidias  of  Athens  paffed  them  all.  In  Rome,  the 
kindred  and  family  of  the  Macrians  were  accuftomed 
to  wear  on  them  the  Image  of  Alexander  the  great. 
Graven:  as,  men  in  Gold  or  Silver,  Women  in 
Kails  and  Rings:  becaufe  it  was  reported  that  he 
fhould  atchieve  well  in  all  affairs,  which  did  bear 
on  him  Alexanders  Image,  either  in  Gold  or  Silver. 

And  therefore  Augustus  Cajar  used  long  the 
Image  of  him,  in  fealing  his  letters. 


CHAP.  XVI. 


PAINTING,   AND   POTTERS   CRAFT,  OR  WORKING  IN 
EARTH. 


G 


YGES  a  Lydian,  as  Pliny  thinketh,  did  firfl 
invent  and  devife  portraiture  in  Egypt,     In  Greece, 


92  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  2. 

Pyrrhus,  the  Coufin  of  DadoluSy  according  to  Arif- 
totle  5  mind.  But  Theophrafius  faith,  that  Polygnotus 
an  Athenian  found  it:  yet  Pliny  agreeth  neither 
with  Theophrajius,  nor  yet  with  himfelf :  for  in  his 
35th  book,  he  faith,  that  Polygnotus  a  Thalian,  did 
firft  paint  women  in  fingle  apparell,  and  trimmed 
their  heads  with  Kails  of  fundry  Colours,  and  fet 
forth  Pidlures  to  fhow  more  decent,  in  opening 
their  mouths,  and  made  their  Teeth  to  be  feen,  and 
the  Vifages  more  favourable  to  behold ;  but  who 
found  it,  it  is  uncertain.  For  the  Egyptians  fay 
they  had  that  art  600  years  before  it  came  to  Greece  : 
And  they  of  Greece  affirm  it  was  begun  by  the 
Sicionians,  and  fome  of  the  Corinthians,  Albeit,  all 
confefle  it  began  of  the  drawing  of  a  man  with 
lines.  In  procefle  of  time  it  waxed  more  fumptuous 
with  colours.  Drawing  pidures  with  lines  or 
fhadows  Philocles  an  Egyptian,  or  Cleanthes  a  Corin- 
thian, devifed.  Thelephanes  a  Sicionian,  and  Ardices 
of  Corinthus  found  this  Art  firft,  without  Colours, 
and  Cleophantes  of  the  fame  Country  invented 
Colours:  Appollodorus  obtained  much  praife  with 
the  Penfil.  In  this  excelled  Timagoras,  Pithius 
Polygnotus,  Aglaophon,vf\th.  others  that  Pliny  reciteth 
in  the  12th  Book.  And  Raphael  San^us,  an  Urbi- 
nate,  is  very  excellent  in  exprefling  of  lively  Images 
of  men  in  this  faculty.  The  potters  occupation 
thatworketh  all  things  in  Clay  and  Earth,  Chotebus 
an  Athenian  found;  as  Pliny  in  his  feventh  book 
telleth.  In  his  35th  book  he  affcribeth  the  Origi- 
nal of  it  to  Dibutades  at  Corinth:  which  by  the 
help  of  his   Daughter  invented   this    craft.     For 


Lib.   2. 


POLIDORE    VIRGIL. 


93 


after  fhe  underftood  that  a  young  man  her  lover 
fhould  depart  into  a  ftrange  Nation  for  the  tender 
love  that  fhe  bare  to  him,  fhe  drew  his  Image  on 
a  Wall  after  the  pattern  of  his  fhadow  by  Candle- 
light, which  her  father  filled  and  fafhioned  with 
Clay,  and  made  it  into  a  figure  and  refemblance  of 
his  body,  and  dried  it  with  the  Fire,  and  fet  it  in 
the  common  Hot-houfe  where  the  maids  and 
Women  kept  Baths:  And  there  it  remained  till 
Mummius  deflroyed  Corinth.  Some  fay  it  was  found 
by  Rhenus^  and  Theodorus  in  the  I  fie  of  Samos, 
And  Demeratus  father  to  Tarquinins  Prifcus  King 
of  the  Romans,  brought  it  into  Italy,  and  after  him 
Euchiras,  and  Eugranias  amplified  the  Science  more 
copioufly.  Liftftratus  a  Sicionian  invented  making 
of  moulds,  and  the  way  to  work  Images  in  them. 
The  Potters  Wheel  or  frame,  (as  Ephorus  faith) 
Anarcharfis  a  Philofopher  of  the  Country  of  Scythia, 
found:  Some  fay  it  was  Talus,  D^dalus  fiflers  Son. 
The  fpecial  Workmen  in  this  Art  were  Demo- 
philus,  and  Gorgofus. 

THE   END   OF  THE    ABRIDGMENT    OF    THE   SECOND 
BOOK. 


Polidore  Virgil. 

The  Third  BOOK. 
CHAP.     I. 


THE      INVENTION        ^.       ... ..,     „ , 

THINGS   CONCERNING  THE  SAME.  | 

ifX  USBAl^DRYortillingthe  ground,  Z)/W(?r«j 
faith,  was  excogitated  by  Bionyftus  among  the  Egyp- 
tians;  In  Greece  and  Afta,  by  Triptolemus,  (as  Juftine 
writeth) ;  in  Italy ^  by  Saturnus:  but  Firgil  witntfC- 
eth,  that  Ceres  firft  devifed  it.  NeverthelefTe  Jo/e- 
phus  declareth  that  it  was  found  by  Cain,  Adam, 
eldeft  fon.  In  the  beginning,  men  lived  by  Acorns, 
and  other  fruits  of  the  Earth  till  Ceres  (as  Pliny  tel- 
leth)  taught  them  of  Athens,  Italy,  and  Sicily  to  fow 
Corn,  which  before  grew  among  other  hearbs.  Dio- 
dorus  referreth  the  invention  of  it  to  Ifts,  Albeit, 
Juftine  affirmeth  that  1'riptolemus  found  it  in  the 


Lib.  3.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  95 

time  of  Erichtheus  King  of  Athens:  but  T)iodorus 
faith  he  learned  it  of  Ceres^  and  had  Command- 
ment to  teach  it  abroad.  In  Italy y  Saturn  inftitu- 
ted  fowing,  Macrobius  teftifieth,  Pitumnus  taught 
men  firft  to  muck  and  compafTe  their  land,  and  his 
brother  Pilumnus  taught  men  to  bake  and  grind,  Pliny 
faith,  that  Augeas  a  King  in  Greece  taught  men  to 
dung  their  lands  in  the  time  of  Horner^  and  Hercules 
afterwards  publifhed  it  in  Italy,  Diodorus  witnefleth 
that  Dionyfius  the  fecond,  yoked  Oxen  to  the  plough 
firft,  where  as  before  it  was  laboured  by  hand.  Briges 
an  Athenian,  or  as  fome  report  Triptolemus;  and 
fome  fay,  one  OJiris  found  the  plough:  Tragus  faith 
that  it  was  Habis  King  of  Spain  that  taught  firft  to 
plow  and  fow.  Inftruments  of  Husbandry,  as  Vir- 
gil  fuppofeth,  Ceres  found  out,  but  we  muft  take  it, 
that  thefe  men  before  rehearfed,  did  teach  it,  in  fun- 
dry  places  :  for  it  is  manifeft,  that  before  their  time 
the  Hebrews  and  Egyptains  had  knowledge  of  this 
Science.  As  Jacob,  when  there  was  a  great  dearth 
of  Corn  in  Canaan,  fent  his  fons  in  Egypt  to  buy 
grain.  And  therefore  without  doubt,  the  Hebrews 
did  firft  find  out  the  way  of  tilling  the  earth,  grind- 
ing, with  other  rufticall  inftruments.  Sakres  of  hair 
were  found  in  France,  as  Pliny  telleth;  and  Boulters 
of  Linnen,  in  Spain.'  In  Egypt  they  were  made  of 
Fenne  rufties,  and  Bull-ruihes. 


CHAP.      II. 

WINE,    OYL,     HONEY,    CHEESE,    AND    STRANGE    TREES 
BROUGHT    INTO    ITALY. 


D 


lODORUS  faith,  that  Dionyftus  did  firft  per- 
ceive the  nature  of  the  Vine,  and  taught  men  of 
Greece  to  plant  it,  and  to  prefTe  wine  out  of  the 
Grape,  as  Saturnus  did  in  Italy.  Some  fay  it  was 
IcariuSj  father  of  Penelope,  that  found  it  in  Athens. 
And  was  afterwards  flain  by  the  Husband-men, 
when  they  were  drunk.  Atheneus  in  one  place  writeth, 
that  Orejieus,  fon  to  Deucalion,  iirfl  found  the  Vine 
about  the  Mount  A£.tna  in  Sicily.  In  another  place 
he  faith,  that  it  was  found  at  the  City  Plinthina  in 
Egypt.  Aruntes  a  Tirrhene,  banifhed  out  of  his 
Country  by  Lucinon,  whom  he  brought  up  of  a  child, 
carried  firft  Wine  into  France.  Seculus  the  fon  of 
Ventus,  invented  the  firft  food  of  men,  of  the  Trees; 
and  Eumolphus  an  Athenian,  taught  the  manner  of 
ordering  of  them.  But  before  all  thefe,  Noah  was 
the  firft  that  either  tilled  the  land,  or  planted  the 
Vineyard.  And  when  he  had  drunk  of  the  fruit  of 
the  grape,  he  was  drunk. 


Lib.  3.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  97 

Wine-Taverns  were  fet  up  firft  by  the  Lydians, 
a  people  of  Afia^  which  ^alfo  found  divers  games. 
Staphylus  (as  Pliny  faith)  allayed  wine  firft.  Drink 
that  is  made  of  Barley,  which  we  call  Ale,  and 
was  the  common  drink  of  the  Egyptians,  was  de- 
vifedby  Bacchus:  and  he  taught  it  to  fuch  Nations, 
as  had  no  grapes  growing.  And  for  that  caufe, 
England^  Scotland^  Ireland^  France^  and  Germany^  and 
all  that  border  on  the  Weft  and  North  Seas,  ufe 
this  drink.  Albeit,  the  Germans  put  Hops  in  it, 
and  call  it  Beer.  In  Greece^  as  Diodorus  affirmeth, 
Pallas  ftievv'ed  the  Olive,  and  the  way  to  make  Oyl. 
And  Arifteus  gathered  the  cruddes  of  milk,  and 
made  Cheefe  firft.  And  the  Oyl-Mill  as  Pliny 
witnefteth,  notwithstanding  the  Olive  was  before 
Noah's  floud:  and  Mqfes  fpake  of  Oyl,  that  was 
ufed  in  facrifices,  whereby  it  may  be  perceived,  that 
the  Jews  invented  Oyl,  Jujiine  faith,  Gargorus,  King 
of  CureUs,  found  the  faftiion  of  gathering  Honey, 
he  dwelt  in  the  Forreft  of  Carchefia  in  Spain. 
There  grew  no  Olive  in  Italy,  Spain,  nor  Africk, 
in  the  time  of  Tarquinius  Pri/cus,  the  174th  year  of 
the  City. 

And  afterward,  the  440th  year  of  the  City,  there 
were  fome,  howbeit,  they  were  near  the  Sea.  But 
indeed  honey  was  gathered  firft  by  the  Hebrews 
ftiepherds.  The  Cherry-trees,  L.  Lucullus  brought 
out  of  Pontus,  the  year  of  the  City  680.  Zizipha 
and  Tuber es,  two  kinds  of  Apple-trees,  S.  Papinius 
conveyed  out  of  Syria  and  Africk,  into  Italy,  in 
the  time  of  Auguftus  C^Jar,  The  Plane-tree,  the 
Laurel-tree,  the  Figg-tree,  and  Apple-trees,  with 

13 


98 


POLIDORE  VIRGIL. 


Lib.  3. 


other,  which  Is  not  needfull  to  rehearfe,  were 
brought  in  by  divers  men,  whose  names  are  not 
fpoken  of  by  any  Authors. 


CHAP.  III. 


<r 


WHO    NAMED    BEASTS,    INSTITUTED  SACRIFICES, 
HUNTING,   SALT,    POULTRIES. 


B 


EASTS,  after  they  were  all  created  in  their 
kind  were  named  by  Adam,  with  the  same  names, 
that  they  be  now  called.  Hiperbius,  Mars,  killed 
them  firft ;  but  I  refer  rather  that  to  Abel,  Adams 
fon ;  for  he  did  firft  offer  to  God  the  firft  begotten 
I  of  his  flock;  and  from  him  it  fpread  abroad  among 
I  the  Hebrews,  and  alfo  other  Countries.  Of  all 
other.  Swine  were  the  firft  that  were  facrificed  of 
the  Gentiles,  in  the  Sacrifices  of  Ceres,  Goddefs  of 
Corn:  as  Varro  witnefleth,  in  Leagues  of  peace,  and 
in  Marriages.  At  length,  they  come  to  fuchoutra- 
gious  cruelty,  that  they  facrificed  men.  Flefh  was 
not  ufed  to  be  eaten,  until  the  time  oi Noah;  and 
then  God  permitted  it:  but  many  Countries  long 
after  that,  forbare  and  kept  great  abftinence  from 
flefh  :  as^  in  the  golden  World  under  Saturn,  men 
onely  lived  by  fruits  of  the  earth.  The  Priefts  of 
AE.gypt  refrained  from  flefh,  Eggs,  and  milk,  be- 


Lib.  3.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  99 

caufe,  as  they  thought.  Eggs  were  but  tender  and 
foft  flefh,   and   milk  was   bloud,  faving  that  the 
colour  was  turned.     And  the  EJfenes  in  Jury,  and 
Jupiter  s  Priefts  in  Greet,  never  eat  flefh.   Banquet- 
ting  difhes  and  delicates  were  made  in  lona,  and 
then   that  evill   cuftome  was   taken   up   by  other 
Countries:    albeit,  there  were  laws  made  in  Lace- 
demonia  by  Lycurgus  and  in  Rome  by  Fannius,  for  the 
abolifhing   of  fuch    exceffive    feaftings.      I    would 
fome  good  man  would  now  prefcribe  a  Law,  to  be 
precifely  obferved  of  all  men.     For  I  think  there 
was  never  fuch  riot  in  feafting  as  there  is  in  thefe 
times.     Hunting  and  fifhing,  the  Phoenicians  found. 
Salt   and   Thufe  thereof  was  perceived   by  Mijor 
Salech.     In  Rome,  ^.  Hortenftus,  did  firft  fet  forth 
a  Pecock,  at  the  Augurs  feafts.     Poulteries  of  all 
kind  of  fouls,    were  inftituted   by  Marcus  Lalius 
Straha,   a  Knight  of  Brundufium.     And  Alexander 
Emperour,  had  alfo  fuch  Poultries.    Warrens  and 
Parks  were  made  firft  by  Fulvius  Hirpinus.     And 
they  be  every  were  ufed,  but  moft  commonly  in 
England,    to  the    great  damage  of  good  pafliures, 
that    might   feed    other   Cattle.     The   Wolf,    the 
Minotaur,  the  Horfe,  the  Boar  were  cognifance  of 
the  Romans    Armyes :    And   Caius  Marius   in  his 
fecond  Confulfliip,  appointed  the  Eagle  for  a  badge 
of  his  Army  and   Legion,  with  many  other  now 
adayes,    which    be    in    Coats    of  Arms    of  Noble 
Men. 


CHAP.  IV. 

WHO   FOUND   FLAX,  AND  WOOL,  WITH    SUCH    INSTRU- 
MENTS   AND     ARTS    AS    BELONG    TO    THE 
SAME,   AND     SILK. 


L 


INNEN  or  Flax,  as  Pliny  faith,  was  found 
by  the  beautiful  Lady  Arachne  of  Lydia^  and  fhe 
taught  alfo  the  way  of  knitting  Nets  to  take 
Beafts,  Fifh  and  Fouls.  Minerva  instructed  the 
people  of  Athens  first,  in  fpinning  and  weaving 
Wool:  but  in  one  place,  Pliny  feemeth  to  afcribe 
the  feat  of  Weaving  to  the  Egyptians. 

The  Walkers  or  Fullers  craft,  was  invented  by 
Nicias,  a  Megarian :  the  Lydians  in  Sardis  dyed 
Wool  firft. 

Spindles  for  Wool,  were  firft  invented  by  Clojier; 
fon  to  Arachne.  Hangings  of  Arras,  which  be  ufed 
in  Halls  or  Chambers,  Attains  King  of  Afia  de- 
vifed  ;  and  Pallas  taught  the  ufe  of  clothing  or  ap- 
parel, as  Diodorus  wnteth:  and  Eufebius  faith,  one 
Ufo  a  Sicilian  born,  made  firft  cloathing  and  Ap- 
parrel  for  men,  of  beafts  skins:  but  indeed  Adam, 
whom  God  did  firft  create,  made  the  firft  Leather 
Coats    for    himfelf,   and  his   Wife  Eve,    our    old 


Lib.  3.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  loi 

Mother,  leaving  thereby  a  pattern  to  all  his  pos- 
terity, of  that  craft. 

The  Shoo-makers  Art, one  5^^Mo/z^.r found.  Attains 
taught  men  firft  to  Weave  Gold  in  Cloaths.  And 
the  Phrygians  invented  broidring.  The  Greeks  de- 
vifed  the  Mantle,  and  the  H'etrurians  found  the 
Robes  of  eftate.  And  mingling  of  divers  colours 
in  Apparel,  was  the  invention  of  the  Babylonians. 
Silk,  which  in  all  Countries  is  occaiion  of  much 
diflblute  behaviour  in  Apparel,  was  found  of  the 
Cerites,  growing  on  their  Trees,  and  with  wetting 
they  comb  it  off,  and  make  it  fit  for  their  ufes. 

Spinning  and  weaving  of  Silk,  that  commeth  of 
Worms,  Pamphila  the  daughter  of  Platis^  devifed 
it  in  the  Ifle  Coos.  Purple  colour  was  found,  as 
Pollux  witnefTeth,  upon  this  occafion ;  As  Hercules, 
being  in  love  with  a  beautiful  Lady,  named  Tiro, 
walked  on  the  Sea-Cliffs,  his  grey-Hound  chanced 
to  find  a  fhell-fifh,  called  a  Purple ;  and  when  he 
had  eaten  it,  the  orient  colour  of  the  bloud  re- 
mained on  his  fnowt:  which  frefh  colour,  the  Lady 
efpying,  threatned  Hercules,  that  he  fhould  never 
be  admitted  to  her  prefence,  unlefTe  he  brought  her 
a  cloath  dyed  with  that  pretious  colour.  Then 
Hercules,  willing  to  accomplifh  his  Ladies  will, 
fought  the  purple  Fifh,  and  carried  the  blood  to 
his  Soveraign  Lady.  And  thus  began  the  Purple- 
colour  among  the  Tyrians. 


CHAP.  V. 

BUILDINGS    MADE  OF    CLAY,    BRICK,    STONE,   WITH 
OTHER   LIKE   MATTERS. 


M 


EN  at  the  firft  lived  like  wild  beafts,  in  caves, 
and  alfo  fed  on  fruits  and  roots  of  the  earth:  but 
after  they  perceived  the  commodity  of  fire,  and 
felt  thereby  a  great  comfort,  againll  the  vehemency 
of  cold:  fome  began  to  edify  Cottages  of  boughes 
of  Trees,  and  fome  digged  Caves  in  the  Moun- 
tains, and  by  often  experiencing  of  fuch  means, 
they  attained  to  a  greater  perfedion  in  building. 
And  afterward  (as  wits  of  men  be  inventive)  they 
learned  to  fafhion  building  with  walls,  that  they  fet 
up  with  long  props.  And  did  wind  them  about 
with  fmall  rods,  and  fo  daubed  them;  and  to  keep 
out  the  ftorms,  they  covered  them  with  reeds, 
boughs,  or  Fen-fedges.  Thus  in  procefTe  of  time, 
they  came  to  the  Art  of  building,  which  as  Diodo- 
rus  faith,  is  afcribed  to  Pallas:  but  I  rather  think, 
that  either  Cain^  or  elfe  Jobal^  fon  of  Lantech, 
found  out  this  art. 

Houfes  of  clay,  Doxius,  fon  of  Gellus,  did  firft 
invent  and  fet  up,  taking  example  at  the  swallow's 
neft.     Brick-buildings  were  invented  by  Eurialus 


Lib.  3.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  163 

and  Hyperbius,  two  brethren  of  Athens,  as  Pliny 
judgeth;  albeit  Diodorus,  referreth  it  to  Vesta^ 
daughter  of  Saturnus.  Epimenides  of  Crete  firft 
ufed  to  hallow  his  houfe  and  fields,  with  expia- 
tions. Tyle  and  Slate  to  cover  houfes,  were  the 
invention  of  Siniras,  fon  of  Agriopa,  in  the  I  fie  of 
Cypres. 

Stone-delves  or  quarells  were  found  by  Cadmus 
in  Thebes,  or  (as  Theophraft  writeth)  in  Phcenice, 
Yet  I  think  the  Invention  of  fuch  Arts  may  more 
juftly  be  afcribed  to  Cain,  or  the  poflerity  of  Seth-: 
which  did  make  two  Pillars,  one  of  Brick,  and 
another  of  Stone,  and  wrote  in  them  all  the  Art  of 
Aftronomy;  at  which  time,  I  fuppofe,  Pillars  and 
Brick  were  firft  made,  whereby  it  appeareth,  that 
the  feat  of  building  hath  been  from  the  beginning 
of  the  World.  NeverthelefTe,  I  deny  not,  but 
thefe  afore  named,  did  begin  edifying  in  fundry 
Countries. 

Marble  was  ufed  in  building  at  Rome,  of  rich 
men,  to  fhew  their  fumptuous  magnificence.  As 
M.  Scaurus,  being  jEdilis,  caufed  360  Pillars  of 
Marble  to  be  carried  to  the  making  of  a  Stage, 
whereon  an  enterlude  fhould  be  played:  but  L, 
Crajfus  was  the  firft  that  had  Pillars  of  Marble. 
M.  Lepidus  made  the  Gates  of  his  houfe  with 
Marble  of  Numidia.  He  was  Conful,  the  year  of 
the  City  676.  Mamurra,  a  Knight,  that  was 
Mafter  of  Julius  Cajar  s  Works  in  France,  pinned 
firft  the  Walls  of  his  houfe  with  broken  Marble. 
In  graving  Marble,  Dipcenus  Scilus,  born  in  Crete, 
flourifhed  firft ;  before  King  Cyrus  reigned  in  Perfia. 


CHAP.    VI. 

WHO    MADE  THE    FIRST   CITY,  TENTS,  TEMPLES, 
AND  PITTS. 


W 


HEN  men  were  fomewhat  reclaimed  from 
their  brutifh  behavior,  by  reafon  that  they  were  re- 
frefhed  from  their  extream  cold,  by  fire,  and  fuch 
houfes  as  they  had  devifed ;  they  gathered  them 
fubftance  and  goods,  to  the  fuftentation  of  their 
houfholds  and  families.  But  after  they  preceived 
that  mighty  and  ftrong  men  did  invade  and  difpoyl 
them  of  fuch  ftuiFe  as  they  had,  they  knit  them- 
selves together  in  a  company,  and  dwelled  in  one 
circuit,  which  they  walled  about,  and  named  it  a 
City.  Notwithftanding  there  is  much  diverfity  of 
opinions  among  Writers,  which  was  firft.  For 
Pliny  faith,  Cecrops  builded  the  firft  City,  and  called 
it  by  his  own  name,  Cecropia,  which  was  afterward 
called  Athens,  Strabo  writeth,  that  Phoroneus  firft 
builded  Argos:  the  Egyptians  fay,  that  Diqfpolis  in 
their  Country  was  long  before:  which  is  credible  to 
be  fo,  becaufe  they  be  a  very  ancient  Nation.  Tra- 
Jon  firft  made  Walls,     Towers,  (as  Ariftotle  faith) 


Lib.  3.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  105 

the  Cyclopians  edifyed:    but   Theophrajius  thinketh 
the  Phcenicians  builded  them. 

And  Virgil  referreth  that  feat  to  Pallas.  But 
to  fay  the  truth,  Cain  (as  Jqfephus  declareth)  made 
the  firft  City,  and  named  it  Enochia,  after  his  fonne 
Enoch.  And  the  young  men  that  came  of  Noah 
his  linage,  by  the  advice  of  Nimroth,  builded  the 
firft  Tower,  of  an  exceeding  height,  which  was 
called  afterward  Babylon. 

Tents,  Jobal  (on  of  Lantech  invented;  notwith- 
standing that  the  Phoenicians  affirm,  that  the 
Nephews  of  Seculus  found  them. 

Temples,  as  Diogenes  fuppofeth,  were  found  by 
Epimenides  in  Crete.  But  Vi5lruvius  affirmeth,  that 
one  Pithius  a  Carpenter,  made  the  firft  Temple  in 
Priene,  in  the  honour  of  Pallas.  Herodotus  faith, 
that  the  Egyptians  inftituted  Temples  firft.  In 
Rome,  Romulus  builded  the  firft  Temple,  to  the 
worfhip  of  Jupiter  Feretrius.  To  Almighty  God, 
Solomon,  King  of  the  Hebrews,  builded  the  firft 
Temple  (3102  years  after  the  Creation  of  Adam') 
in  Jerufalem.  Pits  or  wells  Danaus  digged  firft,  as 
Pliny  teacheth,  after  he  came  out  of  Egypt  into 
Argos,  a  Country  of  Greece.  Neverthelefi^e,  to 
tell  the  very  originall  of  them,  Ifaac  his  ftiepherds 
digged  the  firft  Pitts,  as  appeareth  in  Genefis.  And 
Mojes  caufed  Pitts  to  be  digged  in  the  Wildernefle, 
when  he  did  condu6l  the  Israelites  out  of  Egypt, 
which  was  i^^)!^  years,  before  t\vxtT)anaus  came  into 
Argos;  neither  was  \t  Danaus,  but  his  daughters, 
that  digged  the  Pit  at  Argos. 

H 


CHAP.  VII. 

THE    LAByRINTHS,   TURRETS,    SUNDRY    FASHIONS    OF 
BURIALS. 


L 


ABYRINTHS,  which  we  may  call  Mazes, 
were  certain  intricate  and  winding  works,  with 
many  entries  and  doors,  in  fuch  fort,  that  if  a  man 
were  once  entered,  he  could  not  iflue  out,  without 
he  had  either  a  perfed  guide,  or  elfe  a  clew  of 
thred  to  be  his  condudl.  There  were  four  of  them 
m*oft  notable,  as  it  is  reported :  the  first  was  in 
Egypt^  and  was  called  of  fome  the  Palace  of  King 
Motherudes^  of  fome  the  Sepulchre  of  Mexes :  but 
there  be  other  that  fay,  it  was  builded  in  honour 
of  the  Sun,  by  King  Petefucus^  or  Tithoes :  albeit, 
Herodotus  faith.  It  was  the  common  Tomb  of  the 
Kings  of  Mgypt ;  this  flood  a  little  from  the  Pool 
of  Mirios.  The  fecond  was  made  in  Greet,  by 
D^dalus,  at  the  Commandment  of  King  Minos, 
wherein  Thefeus  of  Athens  flew  the  Minotaure.  The 
third  was  wrought  in  the  Ifle  Lemnos  by  Smilus, 
Rhodus,  and  Theodorus,  Carpenters  of  the  fame  Coun- 
trey.  The  fourth,  Porfenna,  King  of  the  Hetrurians, 


Lib.  3.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  107 

caufed  to  be  made  and  fet  up  in  Italy  for  his  Sepul- 
chre, it  was  all  of  Free-ftone,  and  vaulted.  The 
high  Steeples  or  Turrets,  that  the  JEgyptians  call 
Py  ram  ides,  were  between  Memphis  and  Delta  two 
Cities  of  Mgyptj  of  fuch  height,  that  it  was  marvel 
how  the  ftone  and  morter  fhould  be  carried  fo  high. 
One  of  them  that  was  greateft,  was  the  work  of 
3040  men,  in  20  years  at  the  coft  of  King  Chemis, 
whom  Herodotus  nameth  Cheopis.  Chabreus  bro- 
ther to  the  fame  King,  made  the  fecond  Turret, 
not  equal  in  height.  The  third.  King  Micerenus 
caufed  to  be  wrought,  20  foot  fhorter  then  his 
fathers  was.  The  occafion  that  they  were  made,  as 
Fliny  telleth,  was,  left  the  people  ftiould  be  idle: 
and  Jojephus  faith,  the  Egyptians  enforced  the 
Hebrews  to  build  thofe  Pyr amides,  becaufe  they 
fhould  be  in  fubjedion  to  them,  and  that  they 
might  be  made  (laves  and  drudges:  or  elfe,  left  the 
Kings  ftiould  leave  fo  much  Treafure  to  their  Suc- 
ceflburs,  that  it  might  move  them  to  Sedition  or 
Treafon.  Maujoleum  that  was  the  Tomb  o^  Man- 
Joins  King  of  Caria^  his  wife  Artemesia  builded 
moft  fumptuoufly,  and  for  that  faithfuU  love  that 
fhe  bare  to  him,  ftie  remained  a  Widow  all  her  life 
time. 

The  manner  of  burial  in  divers  countries,  is  of 
fundryfafhions :  as  the M^d-^^/^j and  D^r^/^/^j,  judge 
them  that  dye  in  ficknefte  very  wretches;  and  there- 
fore when  their  Parents  and  kinffolk  wax  aged,  they 
ftrangle  them  and  eat  them,  fuppofing  it  better  that 
they  ftiould  eat  them,  than  the  Worms.  The  Al- 
banes,  that  dwelled  by  the  Mount  Caucajus  take  it  to 


io8 


POLIDORE   VIRGIL. 


Lib.  3. 


>\ 


be  a  mortal  crime  if  they  regard,  or  once  name  them 
that  be  dead.  The  T/iracians  kept  folemnly  the 
Funerals  of  the  dead  Corps  of  men,  with  great  joy 
and  folace :  becaufe  they  be  difcharged  by  death 
from  humane  miferies,  and  reft  in  eternal  felicity; 
and  contrarywife  at  the  birth  of  their  Children  they 
made  great  forrow  and  lamentation,  becaufe  of  the 
calamities  that  they  muft  fuftain  in  this  miferable 
life.  The  Women  in  India,  take  it  for  a  great 
honefty  and  Triumph,  if  they  be  buried  with  their 
Hufbands :  for  it  is  granted  to  her  that  loved  him 
beft.  There  be  other  diverfe  manners  of  burying 
among  the  Pagans,  and  Heathen  people,  which  for- 
afmuch  as  they  exceed  the  bounds  of  humanity, 
and  have  in  them  no  hope  of  Refurredlion,  which  I 
fhall  at  this  prefent  omit,  and  over-pafte  them. 
The  Romans,  becaufe  the  dead  corps,  that  died 
in  battel,  were  after  their  burial  digged  out  of 
the  ground,  inftituted  the  manner  of  burning 
the  carcafes  of  men  departed,  which  Rite  was  ex- 
ecuted on  Sylla,  chief  of  all  the  houfe  and  kindred 
of  the  Cornelians,  which  feared  left  he  fhould  be 
ferved  as  he  had  ufed  Marius.  They  had  alfo  in 
Rome,  a  manner  of  deifying,  or  hallowing  their 
Emperours  dead  bodies,  after  this  fort.  When  the 
Emperour  was  dead,  and  his  body  reverently  buried, 
with  great  exequies,  they  formed  an  Image  of  the 
Emperour,  pale  as  though  he  were  fick,  and  layed 
it  at  the  Gate  of  the  Pallace,  in  a  bed  of  Ivory: 
and  the  Phyficians  reforted  thither  to  the  bed  fix 
dayes  continually;  the  Lords  of  the  Senate,  and 
Noble  Ladies  and  Matrons  ftanding  on  every  fide 


Lib.  3.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  109 

of  the  bed.  The  feventh  day,  the  young  Lords 
and  Nobility,  bare  him  on  their  fhoulders  in  the 
bed,  firft  into  the  old  place  of  judgments  called 
Forum  Fetus,  and  then  into  the  field  named  Campus 
Martins,  where  they  chofe  their  Magiffrates  and 
high  Officers,  where  they  layed  him  in  a  tent 
builded  for  the  purpose  like  a  Tower,  and 
filled  it  with  dry  wood,  and  fweet  Oyntments, 
and  after  they  had  finifhed  the  Rites  and  Cere- 
monies of  their  Law,  he  that  fhould  fucceed  in  the 
Empire,  put  a  Fire-brand  to  the  Tent,  and  then 
others  did  the  like.  And  after  all  was  burned, 
they  let  fly  an  Eagle  out  of  the  top  of  the  Turret, 
which,  as  they  fuppofed,  carried  the  Soul  of  the 
Emperour  to  heaven,  and  from  thenceforth  they 
honoured  him  as  a  god.  Commendations  to  the 
worfhip  of  the  dead  bodies  at  Funerals,  Valerius 
Publicola^  firft  made  in  the  praife  of  Brutus,  and 
that  was  long  before  the  Greeks  had  any,  notwith- 
flanding  Gellius  writeth  that  Solon  ordained  that 
law  in  Athens  \n  the  time  o^l'arquinius  Prifcus.  The 
Romanes  ufed  to  praife  the  Women  at  their  burialls, 
becaufe  on  a  time  they  were  contented  to  give  their 
Golden  Jewels  to  make  a  boul  to  fend  to  Belphos, 
to  the  god  Apollo. 


CHAP.  VIII. 

WHO    MADE    SPIRES     CALLED    OBELISCI,    THE     MARKS 

OF    THE    BREACHES,   THE    EGYPTIANS 

LETTERS,    FIRST    SANCTUARY. 


O 


BELISCI,  which  may  be  called  long  broches 
or  Spires,  were  great  and  huge  ftones  in  Egypt, 
made  by  Mafons,  from  the  bottome  fmaller  and 
fmaller,  of  a  large  length,  and  were  confecrated  to 
the  Sun,  becaufe  they  be  long,  much  like  to  the 
beams  of  the  Sun.  The  firft  of  thtm  was  infti- 
tuted  by  Mitres,  which  reigned  in  Heliopolis,  being 
commanded  by  a  Vifion  to  make  it,  and  fo  was  it 
recorded  and  written  in  the  fame.  King  Bochis  fet 
up  four  that  were  every  of  them  48  Cubits  long: 
Ramejes  (in  whofe  time  Troy  was  destroyed)  reared  up 
one,  fourty  Cubits  of  length,  and  another  of  819 
foot,  and  every  fide  was  four  Cubits  broad. 

Ptolomeus  Philadelphus  made  one  at  Alexandria  of 
four  Cubits. 

And  Pheron  fet  two  in  the  Temple  of  the  Sun, 
of  an  hundred  Cubits  length  a  piece,  and  four 
Cubits  broad,  on  this  occafion:  It  fortuned  that 
this  King,  for  a  great  crime  that  he  had  committed, 
was  ftricken   blind,  and  continued  fo   ten  years. 


lib.  3-  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Ill 

and  after  by  Revelation  at  the  City  Bucis,  it  was 
told  him  that  he  fhould  receive  his  fight,  if  he 
wafhed  his  eyes  with  the  water  of  a  woman,  that 
was  never  defiled  with  any  ftrange  man,  but  was 
always  content  with  her  Hufband.  Firft  he  tried 
his  own  wife,  and  afterwards  many  other,  till  at  the 
laft  he  received  his  fight,  and  married  her  by  whofe 
Urine  he  was  healed,  and  recovered  his  fight,  and 
all  the  other,  with  his  firfl:  wife,  he  caufed  to  be 
burnt  at  once.  Then  for  a  remembrance  he  made 
his  oblation  with  the  two  forefaid  Spires  in  he 
Temple  of  the  Sun.  Auguftus  Cajar  brought  two 
of  thefe  Broches  into  Rome,  and  fet  one  in  the 
great  Tilt-yard  or  Liflies,  if  I  may  call  Circus  in 
thofe  terms;  the  other  he  fet  in  the  field  called 
Campus  Martius:  In  thefe  broaches  for  the  mofi: 
part  were  written  Images  of  beafts,  whereby  their 
pofl:erity  and  fucceflburs,  might  perceive  the  re- 
nown of  fuch  Princes,  and  the  manner  of  their 
vows  and  oblations. 

For  the  Egyptians  ufed  the  Images  of  beafl:s  in 
the  fliead  of  letters,  and  as  Cornelius  writeth,  they 
declared  their  minds  by  the  figures  and  fiiapes  of 
beafi:s  :  as  by  the  Bee  they  fignihed  a  King  ruling  his 
Commons  with  great  moderation  and  gentlenefi^e; 
by  the  Gof-Hauk,  they  meant  fpeedy  performance 
of  their  afi^airs. 

Sanduary  (as  Stacius  writeth)  was  made  firfl:  by 
Hercules  Nephews  in  Athens,  and  was  called  the 
Temple  of  Mercy.  From  thence  it  was  not  law- 
full  to  take  any  man  violently,  that  repaired  thither 
for  aid  and  comfort:   notwithfl:anding  Mojes  which 


Hi 


POLIDORE  VIRGIL. 


Lib.  3. 


was  long  before  Hercules,  did  in  flit  ute  three  fran- 
chised  Towns,  whither  it  was  permitted  for  them 
to  go,  that  had  done  any  Murther  unawares;  or  by 
chance-medly. 

Next  after  him,  Romulus  ordained  a  Sanduary  in 
Rome,  to  encreafe  his  Citizens,  and  to  have  more 
number  to  build  the  City.  There  was  a  Sanduary 
in  the  I  fie  Caharia,  dedicated  to  Neptune;  and 
another  in  Egypt,  at  Campus,  confecrated  to  Her- 
cules; and  another  to  Oftris ;  and  in  Syria;  one 
hallowed  to  Apollo.  And  there  be  many  at  this 
day  in  Chriftendome,  and  namely  in  England:  but 
now  the  liberty  and  number  of  them  is  diminifhed, 
becaufe  they  were  occafion  of  great  crimes  and  en- 
ormities. 


CHAP.  IX. 


OF  THEATRES,  AMPHITHEATRES,  AND  BATHS. 


T 


HEATRES,  were  certain  places,  as  Scaf- 
folds with  Pentifes,  wherein  the  people  of  Athens 
flood  to  behold  the  enterludes  that  were  fhewed: 
and  they  were  made  like  half  a  Circle,  with  benches 
one  above  another,  that  they  might  without  any 
impediment  fee  the  Playes;  Dionyjius  did  firfl  infli- 
tute  them  in  Athens:  in  the  middefl  of  the  Scaf- 


Lib.  3.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  113 

fold  or  Theatre  flood  the  Stage,  wherein  Comedies, 
Tragedies,  with  other  fhews,  were  exhibited  to  the 
common  fort.  Of  them  the  Romans  took  example, 
to  make  fuch  Scaffolds:  which  ^intus  Carulus 
caufed  to  be  covered  with  linnen  cloaths,  and 
hanged  it  with  filk;  whereas  before  they  had  no 
vault  to  bear  off  the  Sun  or  Rain.  But  Marcus 
Scaurus  being  Aidil^  that  is,  having  the  overfight 
of  all  publike  and  private  buildings,  made  the 
firfl  in  Rome,  that  endured  for  the  fpace  of  thirty 
dayes,  it  was  made  up  with  Fillers  of  Marble.  Cuius 
Curio,  at  his  father's  buriall,  builded  two  Theatres 
of  Timber  after  fuch  a  fafhion,  that  they  might  in 
time  of  enterludes  fland  one  contrary  to  another, 
in  fuch  wife,  that  neither  Play  fhould  difturb  other: 
and  when  it  liked  him,  he  turned  them  together, 
and  made  an  Amphitheatre,  which  was  a  round 
Scaffold  full  of  benches  of  divers  heights :  wherein 
he  fet  forth  a  game  of  Sword-players.  Pompeius 
Magnus  made  the  firfl  flanding  Theatre  of  free- 
flone,  after  the  pattern  that  he  faw  at  Mitylene, 
when  he  had  fubdued  Mithridates  King  of  Pontus. 
Caius  Julius  Cajar  builded  the  firfl  Amphitheatre 
in  the  Field  confecrated  to  Mars,  In  this  were  fet 
forth  Shews  of  wild  beafts,  and  Sword-players;  for 
the  manner  was,  that  fuch  as  were  condemned  to 
death,  or  taken  prifoners  in  war,  fhould  be  caft 
there  to  the  wild  beafts  to  be  devoured  and  flain. 
It  was  ftrewed  with  fand,  left  the  bloud  of  thofe 
that  v/ere  flain,  fhould  defile  them  that  fought,  or 
difcourage,  their  hearts :  and  therefore,  there  were 
certain  appointed  to  toffe  and  ftrew  the  fand.     The 

15 


114  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  3. 

place  called  Circus^  that  we  may  call  Lifts  or  Tyle-' 
yards,  were  walled  about  with  ftone  of  a  great 
length,  wherein  was  ufed  Courfing  and  Jufting, 
and  Tourneying  on  horfeback  and  on  foot  by 
Champions  and  Challengers:  they  were  firft  made 
in  the  reign  of  Tarquinius  Prijcus,  and  that  was 
called  the  greateft.  After  that,  two  other  were 
made,  one  by  Flaminius^  and  the  other  by  Nero. 

The  firft  Courfing,  jufting,  and  running,  with 
other  exercifes  in  the  Lifts,  were,  when  Spurius 
Pofthumius  Albinus,  and  ^intus  Martins  PhilippuSy 
were  Confuls,  the  year  of  the  City  567. 

Hot  Baths  were  ufed  firft  privately  of  all  men, 
according  to  their  degree  and  ability,  becaufe  of  the 
prefervation  of  health  as  they  pretended:  but  in 
procefs  they  buildcd  common  Baths  and  Hothoufes 
to  fweat  in:  and  the  Nobles  did  bathe  and  wafti 
with  the  Commons;  and  finally,  men  and  women 
were  permitted  moft  lafciviousfly  to  bathe  together. 
Moft  notable  baths  were  they  that  Agrippa,  and 
NerOy  and  Titus  Vespaftan,  with  other  Emperours, 
made,  as  Julius  Capitolinus  writeth:  they  were  both 
great,  and  alfo  gorgeoufly  drefl!ed  like  Cities  and 
bigg  Towns,  with  all  places  of  opportunity,  to 
maintain  exceftive  riot  in  all  forts  of  men. 


CHAP.    X. 

WHO   FOUND  THE   CARPENTERS  CRAFT,   AND   INSTRU- 
MENTS OF  THE   SAME  ;    VESSELS  OF  DIVERS 
MEASURES. 


D 


AEDALUS,  after  the  mind  of  Pliny,  firft  in- 
vented the  Art  of  Carpentry,  with  thefe  Inftru- 
ments  following,  the  Saw,  Chip-Ax,  and  Plomline, 
whereby  the  evennelTe  of  the  Squares  be  tryed, 
whether  they  batter  or  hang  over,  the  Augore  or 
Wimble,  and  Glew,  to  joyn  boards  together.  The 
Squire,  the  Lyne,  the  Shave,  the  Pricker  or  Punch, 
were  devifed  by  Theodore  a  Samian.  Notwithftand- 
ing,  Ovid  writeth,  that  Talus,  Daedalus' s  fifters  fon, 
invented  the  Compafs,  and  fafhioned  the  Saw 
after  the  pattern  of  the  back-bone  of  a  Fifh: 
or  as  Diodorus  faith,  by  the  example  of  the  jaw- 
bone of  a  Serpent;  he  found  alfo  the  Shave: 
and  for  fuch  benefits  as  he  did  fhew  and  beftow  to 
the  ufe  and  profit  of  men,  he  was  highly  commen- 
ded: But  D^dalus  envying  that  a  boy,  being  but 
his  Apprentife,  fhould  excell  his  Mafter,  caft  him 
down  out  of  a  Tower  (as  Ow'^  witnefleth)  and  flew 
him.     Pythagoras  a  Samian,  devifed  another  manner 


Ii6  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  3. 

of  rule  or  Squire,  then  this  that  we  ufe  commonly, 
fit  for  all  manner  of  buildings,  as  V'Mruvius  de- 
clareth  in  the  ninth  book.  Pentheftl^a  Queen  of 
Amazons  is  reported  to  have  found  the  Axe. 
Albeit,  I  think  the  invention  of  this  Art  is  more 
worthy  to  be  referred  either  to  the  Hebrews,  which 
occupied  fuch  Arts  before  Dedalus  time  and  fpecially 
in  making  of  the  Tabernacle  which  was  curioufly 
wrought;  or  elfe  to  the  Tyrians,  that  were  in  that 
faculty  far  above  the  Hebrews.  For  which  caufe 
Solomon  wrote  to  the  King  of  Tyre  for  workmen  to 
build  the  Temple.  Speufippus  invented  making  of 
hollow  Veflels,  as  Barrels  or  Hogs-heads.  VelTels 
of  Ofiar  or  Wicker,  as  Bafkets,  or  Hampers,  with 
fuch  like,  Ceres  did  firft  devife,  as  Servius  writeth. 


CHAP.    XI. 


WHO   RULED   FIRST  ON   THE  SEA,    FOUND   SHIPS,    MER- 
CHANDISE. 


S 


TRABO  writeth  that  Minos  King  of  Greet  had 
the  firft  rule  of  the  Sea:  but  Diodorus  faith  that 
Neptunus  had  the  Empire  of  it  before  him,  for  he 
invented  the  feat  of  Rowing  in  boats,  and  made  a 
Navy,  and  was  made  Admiral  of  it  by  his  father 
Saturnus.    And  Pliny  reporteth  that  King  Erichthras 


Lib.  3.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  117 

devifed  Boats  firft,  and  rowed  in  them  in  the  Red 
Sea:  feme  fay  they  were  ordained  by  the  Trojans  in 
the  Narrow  Seas  called  Hellefpontus;  Tome  think 
they  were  invented  in  the  Engli/h  Sea.  and  covered 
with  Leather  and  Hides  of  beafts.  Banaus  was 
the  firft  that  ufed  any  fhip  when  he  failed  out  of 
Egypt  into  Greece,  as  Pliny  recordeth,  although 
fome  fuppofe  it  to  be  the  Samothracians,  and  fome 
Atlas  that  found  it.  But,  to  fpeak  the  truth, 
Noah  was  the  firft  that  made  the  Ship  wherein  he 
preferved  from  danger  of  the  Water,  all  the  living 
creatures  that  were  faved  to  multiply  the  World, 
and  that  was  the  pattern  that  all  other  made  their 
ftiips  after.  J(^Jon  firft  made  a  Galley,  which 
Sejoftrias  King  of  Egypt  ufed  after  him,  and  Eytheiis  , 
made  the  Barge  with  two  order  of  Oars  on  a  fide, 
Amocles  of  Corinth,  that  with  three  courfe  of  Oars 
on  a  fide:  the  Carthaginians,  that  with  four;  and 
Nejichthon  of  Salamis,  that  with  five  Oars  on  a  fide, 
which  the  Romans  made  in  the  firft  Punick  battel, 
Zinagoras  a  Syracufan  devifed  that  with  fix  rows  of 
Oars.  Hippius  a  Tyrian  conceived  the  making  of  the 
Lighter,  or  Merchants  fiiip.  The  Cirenians  invent- 
ed the  Hoy  or  Gallion.  Phoenicians  the  Keel  of 
Demy  Bark.  The  Rhodians  the  Brigantine.  Cy- 
prians the  Bark.  Germans  the  boats  of  one  piece. 
Illyrians  the  Cock-boat  or  Lighters.  Rudders 
were  found  by  the  Copians,  and  the  broad  Oars  the 
Plateans  devifed.  Sails  Icarus  ^o\xn^,  albeit,  Diodo- 
rus  faith  it  was  Molus.  Badalus  found  the  Maft, 
and  the  crofi!e  piece  whereunto  the  Sail  is  faftned. 
Ferry  Boats  the  Athenians  or  the  Salaminians  found : 


ii8  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  3. 

clofe  Galleys  were  found  by  the  Thafians,  The 
Tyrrhenes  devifed  the  Anchors,  and  Eupalamas 
made  it  with  points  of  Teeth;  but  fome  refer  it  to 
Anacharfis^  who  also  invented  the  Graplesor  Tackle 
of  a  fhip.  The  ftem  of  the  fhip  Pifeus  imagined. 
Tiphis  found  the  ftern  after  the  example  of  the 
Kite,  which  in  her  flying  turneth  all  her  body  with 
the  turning  of  her  tail. 

Minos  made  the  firfl:  battel  on  the  Sea.  Mer- 
chandife  was  firft  inftituted  to  furnifh  men  with 
neceflaries,  by  way  of  exchange:  but  after,  when 
Money  was  coined,  it  was  occupied  more  for  mens 
private  wealth,  then  for  any  common  profit,  and 
for  that  caufe,  Cicero  calleth  it  a  vile  and  fervile 
craft.  Albeit,  Plutarch  witnefl^eth  that  Thales,  Solon, 
Hippocrates,  and  Plato  frequented  this  Art.  The 
Carthaginians  found  it,  as  Pliny  writeth  in  the  7th 
book,  but  Diodorus  faith  it  was  Mercury  that  found 
it.  And  Pliny  in  his  tenth  Book,  faith  that  lAber 
otherwife  called  Dionyfius,  invented  the  Trade  of 
Merchandife,  and  therefore  it  is  to  be  thought  that 
the  Carthaginians  learned  the  Trade  of  Merchan- 
dife of  Dionyftus.  But  the  Hebrews,  (as  Jofephus 
witnefTeth)  ufed  buying  and  felling  in  the  time  of 
Noah :  and  Jo/eph  was  fold  to  Merchants,  and  car- 
ried into  Egypt:.  The  Lydians  were  firft  Mercers, 
and  carriers  abroad  of  ftuff,  as  Fadors,  Pedlers, 
and  Brokers  do  with  us. 


CHAP.    XII. 

WHO  INSTITUTED   STEWS,  DYING  OF  HAIR,    BARBERS, 
WITH   OTHER    THINGS. 


V 


ENUS,  which  was  begotten  of  the  froth  of 
the  Sea,  (as  Poets  feign)  was  a  common  Harlot, 
and  brothel  of  her  body,  and  had  many  Children  by 
fundry  men;  as  by  Mars,  fhe  had  Harmonia;  by 
Mercury,  Hermaphroditus ;  by  Jupiter,  Cupido:  by 
Anchijes,  Aineas.  And  becaufe  fhe  alone  would  not 
feem  to  be  a  whore,  fhe  ordained  in  Cyprus,  that 
women  fhould  proftitute  themfelves  for  money  to 
all  that  came.  And  Juftine  telleth,  that  the  man- 
ner of  the  Maids  of  Cyprus,  was  to  get  their  mar- 
riage dower,  by  fuch  filthy  baudry.  And  to  help 
further  the  matter,  one  Melampus  brought  out  of 
Egypt  into  Greece,  the  rites  of  Bacchus  :>  facrifices, 
wherein  men  ufe  to  company  diflblutely  with 
women  in  the  night,  in  fuch  wife,  that  it  is  a  fhame 
for  Chriftian  men  to  fpeak  of:  much  like  our 
Shews  or  Dances,  called  Masks,  in  England,  and 
Bone-fires,  as  they  be  ufed  in  fome  parts  of  the 
Realm.  But  Spu.  Pojlhumius,  Albinus,  and  ^ 
Martius,  aboliihed  thofe  Feafts;  I  would  all  Masks 


120  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  2. 

and  Bone-fires  were  likewife  banifhed  from  among 
us  Chriftians.  Yet  common  Women  were  long  be- 
fore Venus' s  time.  For  it  appears  in  Genefts^  that 
Judah,  fon  to  Jacob,  medled  with  Thamar  his 
daughter  in  law,  becaufe  he  fuppofed  fhe  had  been 
a  whore  by  reafon  of  her  apparrel.  But  to  let  that 
pafs,  yet  it  is  pity  to  fee  among  Chriftian  men, 
Stews  and  baudry  maintained,  as  though  it  were  for 
a  common-weal:  and  honourable  Matrimony  fo 
negledled  and  polluted  without  any  fear  of  God. 
This  is  a  dodrine  of  the  Devil,  if  there  be  any. 
In  Mofes  laws,  an  advoutrer  was  ftoned  to  death ; 
and  in  Greece,  in  Rome,  and  in  Arabia,  and  divers 
other  Countries,  he  was  punifbed  by  death ;  yet 
among  Chriftians  it  reigneth  unpunished:  God 
will  ftrike  once  for  all,  therefore  let  the  Minifters 
of  the  Law  provide  a  godly  remedy.  I  would 
wifti  that  women  would  follow  the  Pagan  Lucretia, 
or  Hebrew  Sufanna;  and  men,  Jofeph. 

Medea  found  the  dying  and  colouring  of  hair; 
and  our  women  of  England  have  not  forgotten  it, 
with  other  enormities,  wherein  fome  of  the  Phy- 
fitians  be  greatly  too  blame,  that  teach  fuch  things 
to  that  frail  creature.  They  be  aftiamed  of  Gods 
Creation  and  handy-work  in  themfelves,  or  elfe 
they  would  not  amend  it. 

Barbers,  to  ftiave  and  round,  were  inftituted  by 
the  Abantes,  becaufe  their  enemies  in  war  fhould 
have  no  occafion  to  pluck  them  by  the  hair.  P. 
Ticinius  Mena  brought  them  into  Rome  the  354th 
year  after  the  building  of  the  City:  before,  they 
were  unftiaven.     Afrkanus  was  wont  to  be  shaven 


Lib.  3. 


POLIDORE  VIRGIL. 


21 


every  day.  There  be  many  other  things,  whofe 
Authors  for  Antiquity  cannot  be  known;  and 
fome,  becaufe  of  the  negligence  of  men,  that  will 
not  write  fuch  things.  No  man  can  tell  who 
began  Clocks,  Bells,  the  Ship=-man's  Compafs, 
Gowns,  Stirrops,  Caps  or  Bonnets,  for  that  is  but 
newly  invented:  becaufe  in  old  time,  men  went 
bare-headed.  Water-Mills,  Organs,  and  Claricym- 
bals,  Tallow-Candles,  reclaiming  of  Hawks,  Rings, 
with  many  others,  which  for  the  antienty,  or  over- 
fight  of  men,  be  in  extream  oblivion. 

Atheneus  in  his  fourth  book,  faith.  That  Ctefibius, 
a  Barber  of  Alexandria,  found  out  the  Organs, 
and  bringeth  the  teftimony  of  Aristotle. 

THE  END  OF  THE  THIRD  BOOK. 


16 


Polidore  Virgil 


The  Fourth  BOOK, 


CHAP.     I. 


THE   BEGINNING  AND   ENCREASE  OF  CHRISTIAN 
RELIGION. 


T 


HE  Chriftian  Religion,  wherein  onely  refteth 
the  whole  hope  of  our  falvation,  began  of  the 
Hebrews,  who  were  fo  named  of  Heber^  and  lived 
very  devoutly,  before  there  was  any  law  written ; 
onely  by  a  natural  inclination,  excited  to  perform 
juftice  and  truth. 

The  firft  that  called  on  the  name  of  God,  was 
Enos,  then  Enochs  and  Noe^  after  them  Abraham^ 
IJaac^  and  Jacob^  who  because  he  had  feen  God, 
was  named  Ifrael,  and  of  him  the  Hebrews  were 
furnamed  IJraelites.     Of  the  ifTue  and  Lineage  of 


Lib  4.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  123 

his  twelve  Sons,  there  came  twelve  Tribes  or  Gen- 
erations of  Jews,  every  Tribe  bearing  the  name  of 
one  of  them  :  Job  alfo  was  a  perfed  godly  man, 
and  Jofeph  was  a  mirrour  of  chaftity.  To  thefe 
men  the  Will,  Promifes  and  Revelations  of  God 
were  fhewed  firft.  Notwithftanding  they  did  not 
long  perfevere  in  that  perfed  innocency  of  living, 
but  partly  for  their  corruptible  nature,  prone  to 
vice,  and  partly  by  reafon  of  the  acquaintance  that 
they  had  with  the  Egyptians,  a  kind  of  people  very 
superftitious,  and  much  given  to  Idolatry,  they  fell 
from  their  purity  into  fuch  extream  blindnelTe  of 
heart,  ignorance  of  God,  and  idolatry,  that  they 
differed  in  nothing  from  the  Gentiles  and  Heathen. 
But  God  as  he  is  mercifull  and  long  fuffering,  205 
years  after  that  Ifrael  came  into  Egypt,  and  430 
years  after  Abraham  going  thither,  delivered  them 
out  of  their  thraldome  and  bondage  that  they  were 
in,  by  the  valiant  Captain  Mofes ;  and  brought 
them  through  the  red  Sea,  and  Wilderneffe,  into 
the  land  of  promife,  the  fruitful!  land  of  Canaan ; 
yet  they  unkindly  forgat  all  thofe  benefits,  and  re- 
turned to  their  old  wretchednefTe,  and"  finfull 
abominations.  Laft  of  all,  God  confidering  that 
neither  law  of  nature,  nor  Law  written,  nor  his 
great  benefits,  nor  preaching  of  his  fundry  Pro- 
phets, (whom  they  most  cruelly  murthered)  could 
turn  them  from  their  ftif-necked  and  ftubborn  ob- 
flinacy  :  To  fhew  all  kindnefTe  pofiible,  fent  his 
onely  begotten  Son,  equal  to  him  in  effential  pow- 
er, to  be  incarnate  of  a  pure  maid,  that  at  the  laft, 
they  might  by  this  example  and  Preaching,  have 


124  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  4.- 

an  obedient  heart  towards  their  Creatour,  which 
was  born  (the  year  of  the  World  4997,  and  the 
41  year  of  the  reign  of  Auguftus  Cajar)  of  the 
Virgin  Mary,  to  be  our  Saviour,  and  interceflbr 
for  us  before  the  Judgement  Seat  of  the  Father, 
as  his  name  Jefus  doth  portend  unto  us. 

He,  by  his  example,  teaching,  and  miracles, 
fhewed  the  path  of  falvation  ;  but  they  envioufly 
did  perfecute  him  to  the  vile  death  of  the  Crofle: 
neverthelefle,  by  his  divine  power  he  arofe  the  third 
day,  in  the  i8th  year  of  Tiberius  the  Emperour  his 
reign,  and  after  40  dayes  he  afcended  to  the  right 
hand  of  God,  leaving  power  and  Authority  with 
his  Apoftles,  to  eftablifh  the  Common-wealth  and 
Religion  of  Chriftians;  and  the  loth  day  after  his 
Afcention,  he  fent  the  Holy  Ghoft  into  their 
hearts,  to  ftrengthen  and  teach  them  all  truth. 
This  was  33  years  and  3  moneths  after  his  In- 
carnation. Thus  our  Religion  had  its  original, 
and  the  Apoftles  by  their  preaching,  amplified  and 
enlarged  it  very  much.  For  Peter  firft  preaching 
to  the  Jews  in  Jerufalem  of  the  cruel  murther  that 
they  had  committed  againft  Chrift  Jefus,  conver- 
ted and  baptifed  in  one  day  3000  men  and  Wo- 
men. And  by  the  miracle  of  healing  the  lame  man 
at  the  beautiful  gate  of  the  Temple,  he  ftayed  and 
confirmed  them  ftrongly  in  the  Faith,  albeit  he 
fuffered  perfecution  greatly  for  the  fame :  And 
Stephen  for  his  faithfuU  teftimony,  was  ftoned  to 
death.  Philip  converted  and  baptifed  the  Samari- 
taneSy  and  a  certain  Eunuch  of  Candaces,  Queen  of 
Ethiopia;  the  Eunuch  turned  the  Queen  with  her 


Lib.  4.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  125 

family,  and  a  great  part  of  that  Countrey  to  the 
faith  of  Chrift.  After  in  Antioch,  the  faithfull 
named  themfelves  Chriftians. 

Thomas  preached  to  the  Parthians,  Matthew  in 
Ethiopia  J  Bartholomew  in  India,  Andrew  in  Scythia, 
John  in  Afta,  Peter  in  Galatia,  Pont  us,  Cappadocia, 
Peter  was  born  in  Bethfaida,  a  City  of  Galilee  and 
brother  to  Andrew.  He  was  Bifhop  of  Antioch 
feven  years,  and  converted  many  people  of  Afia: 
and  after  went  to  Rome,  in  the  time  of  Claudius, 
and  there  preached  the  Gofpel  with  great  increafe. 
At  the  fame  time  Mary  the  Virgin,  and  Mother 
of  our  Saviour  Jefus  Chrift,  did  change  her  life, 
which  was  the  year  of  our  falvation  47.  Not  long 
after,  Paul  being  converted  from  his  phantafticall 
Traditions,  to  a  Preacher  of  Chrifl's  Gofpel,  was 
brought  to  Rome  where  he  preached  boldly  the 
Gofpel,  notwithftanding  the  great  perfecutlons  that 
he  fuifered  for  it,  and  afterward  fuffered  death  by 
the  way  of  beheading,  at  the  commandment  of 
Nero,  the  fame  day  that  Peter  was  crucified  on  a 
CrofTe.  Thus  daily  the  Congregation  of  Chriftians 
encreafed  more  and  more,  as  the  Acts  of  the 
Apoftles,  and  other  Hiftories  do  declare  it  fully. 
Albeit  there  was  great  trouble  and  perfecution  in 
every  place,  yet  God  by  his  power,  contrary  to 
their  expedation,  turned  their  cruelty  to  the 
furtherance  of  his  Word,  confirmation  of  the 
faithfull,  and  confufion  of  them  that  ufed  tyranny. 


CHAP.  II. 

THE     INSTITUTION     OF    CIRCUMCISION     AND 
BAPTISM. 


G 


OD,  which  had  made  promife  to  Abraham^ 
that  he  fhould  be  father  of  many  Nations,  and 
that  all  the  world  fhould  be  blefTed  in  his  feed  (that  is 
Chrift)  willing  to  ftay  his  faith  in  the  fame  promise, 
appointed  the  Covenant  of  Circumcifion  between 
him  and  Abraham^  faying,  Every  male  /hall  be  cir- 
cumcifed,  and  the  fle/h  of  his  fore-skin  /hall  be  cut 
round  about,  for  afi^n  of  the  League  and  Confederacy 
that  I  make  with  thee.  Upon  this  Commande- 
ment,  Abraham  then  being  <^(^  years  of  age,  did 
cut  his  foreskin  ;  and  his  fon  IfmaeV s,\i€\r\g  then 
12  years  old,  whom  he  begat  of  Hagar  his  bond- 
maid ;  and  all  his  fervants  :  For  this  caufe  (as 
Cyprian  faith)  that  he  might  have  the  firft  fruits  of 
the  blood,  which  fhould  afterward  fhed  his  holy  blood 
for  the  redemption  of  many  ;  yea  of  all  that  be- 
lieve in  him.  The  fafhion  of  it  was,  to  cut  the 
fore-skin  of  a  man's  yard  with  a  knife  of  ftone,  as 
God  commanded  Jo/hua^  that  he  fhould  make 
knives  of  flone,  to  circumcife  all  the  Ifraelites 
the    fecond  time ;    and    Mofes    did   circumcife    his 


Lib.  4.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  127 

children  'with  a  fharp  ftone.  Chryjqftome  called 
Circumcifion  the  firft  and  moft  ancient  Com- 
mandement ;  for  there  is  no  Nation,  that  gave 
any  precepts  or  rules  to  live  by,  before  Abraham 
or  Mofes ;  and  therefore  it  is  to  be  fuppofed,  that 
other  Countries  took  example  at  the  Hebrews,  to 
circumcife  their  Children,  as  the  Phoenicians^  and 
Arabians^  the  Saracens^  the  Ethiopians^  the  Egyp- 
tians^ and  the  Colchians. 

This  Circumcilion  of  the  flesh,  was  a  figure  to 
us  of  the  circumcifion  of  the  heart,  and  cafting 
away  of  all  fuperfluous  lufts,  carnal  defires,  and 
importeth  a  moderation  and  mortifying  of  the 
affects  and  concupifcences  of  the  old  Adam,  I 
mean  the  finful  body  :  he  that  had  not  this  fign, 
was  baniilied  out  of  the  number  of  the  people  of 
God,  and  had  no  part  in  the  promifes  made  to 
Abraham. 

Baptifm,  wherein  is  left  to  us  a  fignification 
both  of  the  mortification  of  the  flefh,  and  dying 
to  the  World,  that  we  may  walk  in  a  new  life,  and 
alfo  of  the  wafhing  away  of  our  sins  by  Chrift's 
blood,  and  is  the  token  that  we  be  of  the  body  of 
the  Congregation  of  the  faithful,  was  inftituted  by 
Saint  John,  fon  of  Zachary,  the  15th  year  of  the 
Emperour  Tiberius  his  reign,  in  the  Wildernefs, 
befide  the  famous  River  of  Jordan,  where  he  bap- 
tized much  people.  This  baptifm  and  wafhing, 
was  in  the  water,  to  fignifie  the  wafhing  away  of 
our  fins  that  fhould-  be  by  Chrift,  which  baptized 
in  the  Holy  Ghoft  and  fire.  There  were  figns  of 
Baptifm  in  the  old  Law,  as  the  Cloud,  the  Red- 


128  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  4. 

Sea,  the  River  of  Jordan.  The  firft  that  was 
chriftened  of  the  Heathen,  was  Cornelius  of  Caefa- 
ria,  and  the  Eunuch  of  Queen  Candaces, 

Chriftening  of  Infants  was  inftltuted  among  us, 
as  Circumcifion  of  children  was  of  the  Jews  cele- 
brated the  eighth  day.  Iginius  Bifhop  of  Rome 
ordained  firft  that  children,  which  fhould  be  Chrif- 
tened, fhould  have  a  godfather,  and  a  godmother, 
for  to  be  witnefTe  of  the  Sacrament  that  it  was  re- 
ceived. And  ViBor  Bishop  there,  did  inftitute, 
the  one  might  be  chriftened  either  by  a  layman  or 
woman  in  time  of  neceiTity,  because  Infants  were 
often  in  danger.  There  be  three  manner  of  Bap- 
tifms,  (as  Cyprian  divideth  it.)  One  in  water, 
whereof  John  was  author  ;  another  in  the  Holy 
Ghoft  and  fire,  whereof  Chrift  was  Inftitutor;  the 
third,  m  blood,  wherein  the  children  that  Herod 
flew,  were  chriftened.  It  was  alfo  the  manner  in 
old  time,  that  they  which  were  grown  in  age 
fliould  be  baptized  in  white  apparrel,  and  that 
was  wont  to  be  at  Eafter  or  Whit-funday  ;  onely 
neceflity  conftrained  otherwife.  In  the  meantime, 
till  thofe  dayes  came,  they  were  taught  the  myfter- 
ies  of  the  Religion  of  Chrift,  which  they  fliould 
profefl!e.  Of  that  cuftome  I  fuppofe  the  yth  Sun- 
day after  Eafter,  is  called,  the  White-Sunday. 


CHAP.   III. 

OF  THE  PRIESTHOOD  OF  THE  HEBREWS,    AND 
DEGREES    OF    THE    SAME. 


L 


IKE  as  in  the  Chrifthood  Commonwealth 
there  be  two  forts  of  men,  one  called  the  Laytie, 
to  whom  appertaineth  the  miniftration  of  the 
publike  weal,  and  all  temporal  affairs:  the  other  is 
the  Clergy,  to  whom  belongeth  the  cure  and  charge 
of  miniflring  the  Word  of  God,  Sacraments,  and 
other  decent  ceremonies:  fo  in  the  old  Law  of  the 
Hebrews,  there  were  two  jurifdidlions,  one  of  them 
was  Captains  and  Governours  of  the  Commons: 
the  other  was  the  Priefthood,  that  did  oifer  up  the 
facrifices,  and  other  oblations.  Of  this  degree  of 
Priefts,  Aaron  and  his  fons  were  the  firfl,  ordained 
and  confecrated  by  Mqfes  at  the  Commandement 
of  God. 

The  manner  and  fafhion  of  hallowing:  of  them 
and  their  Veftures,  is  declared  at  large  in  the  book 
of  Exodus,  As  for  Noahy  which  made  the  firfl 
Altar,  Melchifedechy  Abraham,  Ifaac,  and  Jacob^  did 
make  their  offering  rather  of  a  natural  devotion, 
than  any  Prieflly  authority. 

^7 


I30  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  4. 

After  that,  the  Levites,  whom  we  ufe  to  call 
Deacons,  were  created  by  Mqfes  to  minifter  and 
ferve  Aaron  in  all  the  Sacrifices,  to  bear  the  Ark 
and  Tabernacle,  the  holy  VefTels,  and  pitch  the 
Camp,  and  were  difcharged  of  all  terrene  affairs. 

Next  them  were  chofen  the  Minifters,  which  did 
make  ready  the  facrifice,  as  Calves,  Oxen,  Sheep, 
with  fuch  other  things,  at  the  commandement  of 
the  Levites,  thefe  we  may  call  Sub-Deacons. 
Certain  other  were  elected  to  light  the  Tapers  and 
Lamps,  named  Accolites. 

The  Sextons  or  Porters  were  appointed  to  keep 
out  all  prophane  and  unclean  people.  And  Read- 
ers to  preach  and  read  the  Law  and  Prophets  on 
their  Sabbath  dayes. 

There  were  moreover  Chaunters  and  Singers  to 
fing  the  Pfalms  in  the  Temple,  whom  David  and 
AJaph  did  inftitute. 

Conjurers  were  ordained  by  Solomon  to  drive  evil 
fpirits  out  of  men. 

All  thefe  Offices  went  by  Succeffion,  neither  was 
one  promoted  from  one  to  another.  Thus  was 
the  Levitical  Priefthood  appointed,  which  was  but 
a  fign  and  fhadow  of  things  to  come,  that  is  Chrift, 
in  whom  refteth  the  perfection  and  compleat  ful- 
filling of  the  Law. 


CHAP.  IV. 

OF   OUR     PRIESTHOOD,   HOW    IT    IS    DOUBLE:     WHAT 
LAYING  ON  OF  HANDS  MEANETH. 


C 


HRIST  JESUS  our  Saviour,  which  was 
King  and  Prieft  after  the  order  of  Melchifedech,  in 
the  New  Teftament  hath  inftituted  among  us  a 
Priefthood  to  offer  and  do  the  fundions  of  the 
new  Law:  and  it  is  of  two  kinds  or  forts. 

The  one  is  a  fpiritual  Priefthood  to  offer 
fpiritual  facrifices.  In  this  kind  Chrift  offered  and 
gave  up  himfelf  a  confummate  oblation  for  the  fins 
of  the  whole  world,  as  Peter  faith,  Chrift  died  once 
for  our  fins,  he  being  righteous,  for  us  unrighteous, 
that  he  might  give  us  up  to  God;  mortified  as 
touching  the  flefh  by  living  in  the  fpirit. 

Of  this  Priefthood  be  all  Chriflian  men,  which 
after  the  example  of  Chrift  mufl  offer  our  prayers, 
thankfgiving,  and  our  bodies  mortified:  we  be  all 
of  the  degree  of  this  Kingly  Prieflhood  as  Peter 
and  alfo  John  in  the  Apocalyps  do  bear  witneffe. 

The  fecond  Prieflhood  is  a  Miniflery  that  Chrifl 
did  ordain  following  the  order  of  the  Law,  that  we 
might    have    our    teachers    to    inflrud    us   in   the 


13*  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  4. 

Gofpel,  as  the  Jews  had  their  Schoolmafters  in  the 
Law. 

He  did  eledl  twelve  Bifhops,  whom  he  called  by 
a  new  name  Apoftles,  becaufe  they  were  appointed 
to  be  EmbaiTadours  into  all  parts  of  the  World, 
with  the  mighty  word  of  his  power  to  carry  the 
glad  Tydings  of  his  Gofpel. 

He  affigned  alfo  70  Difciples,  to  whom  he  gave 
the  charge  and  office  of  Preaching  and  teaching, 
which  in  ftead  of  Aarons  Sons,  fhould  be  among  us 
inferiour  Priefts,  and  Seniours  of  Congregations: 
and  thefe  began  the  order  of  our  Priefts,  as  our 
Bifhops  had  their  original  of  the  Apoftles. 

As  the  Apoftles  and  70  Difciples,  which  were 
Minifters  and  difpofcrs  of  the  Myfteries  of  God, 
had  no  other  manner  of  confecrating,  but  onely 
the  vocation  and  eledion  of  Chrift  into  the  Office, 
and  fo  was  Matthias  chofen  in  the  A^s^  into  the 
room  of  Judas:  So  were  the  feven  Deacons  chofen 
to  Minifter  to  the  poor  people  of  the  Congrega- 
tion. And  Titus  did  choofe  in  every  Town  and 
City  of  Creet^  Priefts  by  the  laying  on  of  hands, 
which  was  a  manner  of  admiffion  without  any 
further  Ceremonies,  whereby  Authority  was  given 
them  over  the  Congregation,  and  boldneffe  to 
execute  earneftly  his  office  with  the  affiftance  of  the 
Holy  Ghoft. 

And  therefore  in  the  beginning  of  the  Church, 
when  a  Bifhop  was  confecrated,  there  was  ufed  no 
other  Rites  or  Ceremonies,  but  onely  the  people 
to  whom  the  Eledion  of  the  Bifhop  belonged, 
ihould  pray  ;  and  after  the  Seniours  or  Priefts  by 


Lib.  4-  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  133 

laying  on  their  hands,  admitted  him  to  that  degree. 
Of  thefe  Peter  was  called  chief,  and  firft,  becaufe 
both  of  his  ancientry,  and  alfo  forafmuch  as  he 
was  the  firft  Eleded. 

A  Bifhops  room  is  not  fo  much  in  honour,  as 
it  is  in  heavy  burden,  not  fo  much  a  laud,  as  a 
load.  For  his  duty  is  not  onely  to  wear  a  Mitre 
and  Crofier,  but  alfo  to  watch  over  the  flock  of  the 
Lord  vigilantly,  to  teach  with  the  Word  diligently, 
with  example  honeflily,  and  in  all  things  to  go  be- 
fore them  uprightly,  and  lead  them  in  the  way  of 
Truth,  that  they  may  follow  the  pattern  of  his 
godly  living,  and  there  as  it  were  in  a  Mirrour,  be- 
hold how  they  ought  to  reform  and  conform  their 
lives.  And  this  office  of  the  Bifhoprick  and 
Deacons  was  infliituted  by  the  Scripture  onely ; 
for  Priefts  in  the  Primitive  Church  and  Bifliops 
were  all  one. 

But  the  Bifliops  of  Rome  following  the  fliadows 
of  the  old  abrogate  law  of  the  Hebrews,  have 
ordained  a  fwarm  of  divers  other  orders,  as  Por- 
ters or  Sextons,  Readers,  Exorcifts,  Accolites, 
Sub-deacons,  Deacons,  Priefts,  Bifliops,  Arch- 
bifhops,  as  a  certain  degree  one  above  another, 
whereby  they  should  afcend  to  the  highefl:  dignity. 
Caius  Bifliop  of  Rome  did  begin  the  Orders  firfl: ; 
yet  fome  fay,  Iginius  did  ordain  thofe  degrees  long 
before  Caius  his  time.  And  I  grant  well  that 
Iginius  might  be  the  firfl  devifer  of  them,  and  after- 
ward Caius  accompliflied  the  work,  and  brought  it 
to  a  finall  confummation. 

The  office  of  a  Prieft  (as  Chrift  ordained  it) 


134  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  4. 

was  to  teach,  Baptize,  and  Minifter  the  Sacrament 
of  the  Altar,  and  thankfgiving,  bind  and  loofe,  and 
judge  of  Dodrines. 

Therefore  let  them  take  heed  that  admit  fuch 
to  be  Priefts,  as  cannot  perform  the  duty  of  that 
miniftery.  For  many  fuppose  if  they  can  mum- 
ble up  a  pair  of  Matins,  and  fay  MafTe,  they  be 
perfed  Priefts. 


CHAP  V. 

THE    MANNER    OF    SHAVING    PRIESTS    CROWNS,    WHO 

MAY    NOT    BE    PRIEST,    WHAT  AGE 

HE    MUST    BE    OF. 


T 


HE  common  and  general  badge  of  all 
Priefts  is  the  fhaven  Crown,  whereby  the  Clergy 
is  diflevered  from  the  Laity,  and  be  put  in  remem- 
brance by  it,  how  they  ought  altogether  to  relin- 
quifh  and  defpife  all  carnal  pleafure,  and  worldly 
treafure,  and  enfue  after  heavenly  things,  which  be 
eternal.  This  as  Beda  writeth,  grew  into  a  cuf- 
tome,  and  was  decreed  by  a  conftitution,  to  the 
intent  that  the  thing  which  was  before  opprobrious, 
might  grow  to  honour  and  comelinefTe.  For 
Peter  when  he  preached  at  Antioch,  was  fcorned 
and  mocked  becaufe  of  his  bald  head,  or  fhaven 
crown,    and    it    was   a  contumelious   thing,   both 


Lib.  4.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  13$ 

among  the  Romans  and  Lombards  to  be  fhaven.  I 
think  the  original  caufe  of  it  did  proceed  of  the 
Ceremonies  of  the  Nazarens,  which  when  they  had 
lived  long  time  (as  Jofephus  telleth)  very  devoutly, 
they  fhaved  their  heads,  and  facrificed  the  hair  in 
the  fire  to  God,  whereby  they  fignified  that  they 
did  dedicate  themfelves  wholly  to  live  in  Godly 
perfedion.  Samuel  was  a  Nazaren^  and  Sampjon 
alfo.  I  fuppofe  that  this  Rite  of  the  Nazarens 
came  out  o{  Mgypt^  where  the  Priefts  were  cuftom- 
ably  fhaven,  in  token  of  forrow  and  heavinefle,  for 
the  death  of  their  God  Apis.  And  they  were  alfo 
fhaven  daily,  becaufe  they  fhould  be  without  filth, 
in  their  quotidian  Sacrifice. 

The  fignification  of  the  Priefl:s  crouns,  is  to  de- 
clare, that  they  ought  to  reject  terrene  and  Earthly 
fubftance,  referving  to  themfelves  onely  a  compe- 
tent fufficiency.  Anacletus  firft  forbad  Priefts  to 
have  beards,  or  long  hair. 

Siricus  decreed,  that  all  thofe  men  that  were 
twife  married,  or  wedded  a  Widow,  fhould  be  no 
Priefts. 

Anaftafius  commanded,  that  none  that  was  lame 
or  maimed,  fhould  be  admitted  to  be  a  Prieft. 

Bonifacius  inftituted,  that  no  man  could  be  a 
Prieft,  before  he  were  30  years  old ;  for  that  was 
the  age  of  Priefts  in  the  old  Law.  But  the  Coun- 
cil of  Later ane  thought  it  fufficient,  if  he  were  25 
years  old,  after  the  example  of  the  Levites,  which 
at  that  age  miniftered  in  the  Tabernacle. 

Anacletus  alfo  appointed,  that  every  Biftiop 
fhould  be  inftalled  and  confecrated  of  other  ancient 
Biftiops. 


CHAP.    VI. 

WHO      DEVISED       PARISHES,      AND       DIOCESSES,      THE 
ORDER    OF    CARDINALS,     NOTARIES,    AND 
CHAMBERLAINS. 


A 


FTER  that  the  Prieflhoodwas  ordained,  both 
left  the  cure  fhould  be  over-great,  and  alfo  that 
every  man  might  know  what  his  charge  was,  and 
how  far  his  Office  extended  ;  Dionyftus^  the  year  of 
our  Lord  267,  divided,  both  in  Rome  and  other 
places.  Churches,  Church-yards,  and  Parifhes,  to 
Curates  ;  and  DiocefTes  to  Bifhops,  and  commanded 
every  man  fhould  be  contented,  with  his  prefcript 
bounds.  But  before  that,  Euarijtus  appointed 
titles  of  Cures  to  the  Priefts  in  Rome,  whofe  duty 
was  to  chriften  all  that  were  converted  from  Pagan- 
ifm  to  Chriftian  Religion,  and  reforted  thither  to 
receive  the  faith,  and  to  bury  the  dead.  And  after- 
ward Marcellus  decreed,  that  there  fhould  be  25  in 
number. 

Thefe,  becaufe  they  were  the  chief  Priefts  in 
Rome,  and  had  the  prerogative  before  the  reft,  were 
named  Cardinals  ;  and  of  them  without  doubt,  the 
order  of  Cardinals  sprung  firft,  which  for  as  much 


Lib.  4.  POLIDORE    VIRGIL.  137 

as  they  were  in  daily  prefence  with  the  Biiliop  of 
Rome,  that  then  had  the  primacy  of  Chriftendome, 
were  had  in  great  reputation  and  reverence.  And 
Innocentius  the  fourth  of  that  name,  (which  was 
about  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1254,)  willing  to  aug- 
ment and  advance  their  dignity,  commanded  by 
Decree,  that  from  thenceforth  they  fhould  ride 
when  they  came  to  the  Bilhop's  Palace,  and  wear 
a  red  hat,  whereby  was  meant,  that  they  ought  to 
be  in  readinefle,  to  adventure  themfelves  for  the 
love  of  Religion,  and  fpend  their  blood  in  Chrift's 
Caufe  :  and  PauluSy  Bifhop,  ordained,  that  they 
fhould  have  Scarlet  Robes  or  Kittells.  This  order 
ftandeth  of  three  forts,  for  fome  be  Bifhhops,  and 
be  in  number  fix.  The  Cardinals  o{ Hqftia,  Sabine, 
Portua,  Tufculane,  Preneftine,  and  Albane.  The 
other  were  either  Priefts,  or  Deacons,  albeit  in  no 
certain  or  fpecial  number.  But  there  is  another. 
Order  in  Rome  of  Notaries,  which  were  appointed 
by  Julius  the  firft  of  that  name,  to  write  the  Ads 
of  all  godly  Martyrs  and  ConfefTors,  and  regifter 
them  for  a  perpetual  example,  of  constant  and  ver- 
tuous  living.  Albeit,  I  think  it  rather  to  be  the 
invention  and  device  of  Clement,  which  ordained 
feven  Notaries,  to  inroUthe  notable  deeds  of  Mar- 
tyrs. And  Antherius  after,  did  more  firmly  ratifie 
it.  Alfo  Leo  the  firil,  a  godly  and  well  difposed 
man,  feeing  the  people  repair  thither  from  all  parts 
of  the  world  for  pardon,  appointed  certain  Officers 
of  the  Priefls,  whom  he  named  Chamberlains,  to 
keep  the  Tombs  and  Sepulchres  of  the  Apoftles 
and  Martyrs,  that  they  perceiving  the  holy  rever- 
18 


138  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  4. 

ence  about  the  Apoftles  graves,  might  be  more  en- 
flamed  with  devotion.  But  all  fuch  Offices  be  now 
perverted,  and  turned  from  that  godly  purpofe,  to 
a  vain  worldly  oftentation  and  pomp,  and  be  ready 
Merchandife  in  Rome ;  the  promotions  be  fo  great. 


CHAP.  VII. 


THE   PREROGATIVES    OF  THE    BISHOP   OF    ROME,    AND 
HIS    ELECTION. 


O 


NE  fpecial  Prerogative  and  Priviledg  of  the 
Bifhop  of  Rome,  is,  that  he  may  change  his  name, 
if  it  feem  to  him  not  very  pleafant  to  his  ears. 
As  to  fpeak  merrily  if  he  be  a  malefadour,  he  may 
call  his  name  Bonifacius :  if  he  be  a  coward,  he  may 
be  called  Leo:  for  a  Carter,  Urbanus:  and  for  a 
cruel  man,  Clemens:  if  nocent,  Innocentius :  if 
ungodly,  Pius.  This  was  the  ordinance  of  Sergius\ 
and  they  fay,  they  do  it  after  the  example  of  Chrift, 
which  changed  Simoyi  Barjona\\\s  name  into  Peter: 
and  of  this  it  came  to  pafle,  that  every  Bifhop 
when  he  was  eleded,  chofe  the  name  of  one  of 
his  predecefTours. 

The  Bifhop  of  Rome  is  alfo  born  on  mens 
fhoulders:  which  cuftome  came  of  the  eledion  of 
Stephanus  the  fecond,  whom  the  people  for  his 
great  vertue  and  godlineffe,  with  much  joy  of  the 
eledion,  bare  on  their  fhoulders.  The  manner  of 
the  pomp  of  bearing  was  admitted,  but  the  imitat- 
ing and  following  of  his  vertue  and  fincere  living. 


Lib.  4.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  139 

was  omitted.  Albeit,  it  might  fpring  of  a  gentile 
cuftome  that  was  among  the  Romans,  that  every 
rich  man  or  high  Potentate,  .fhould  be  born  of  his 
fervants  in  a  bed. 

The  authority  to  choofe  the  Bifhop  of  Rome, 
belonged firft  to  the  Emperour of  Conjiantinop/e,  and 
the  Deputy  of  Italy,  till  the  time  of  the  Emperour 
Conftantine,  which  licenced  the  Cardinals  and  the 
people  of  Rome,  to  eledhim.  This  was  about  the 
year  of  Chrift  685.  A  few  years  after,  Gregory  the 
third,  with  other  his  SuccelTours,  when  they  were 
vexed  by  the  Lombards,  feeing  they  could  not  have 
ready  help  of  the  Emperour  of  Confiantinople,  requi- 
red ayd  of  Charles  Martelle,  Pippin,  and  Charles 
the  Great,  King  of  France.  For  which  benefits, 
Leo  the  third  made  and  denounced  Charlemain, 
Emperour,  and  gave  him  authority  to  ratifie  and 
confirm  the  eledion  of  the  Bifhop  of  Rome :  but 
Nicholas  the  fecond,  reftrained  the  eledion  onely 
to  the  Cardinals;  which  cuftome  remaineth  at  this 
day. 

The  great  pofleffions  that  the  Bifhops  of  Rome 
have,  contrary  to  the  example  of  Chrift  (whofe 
Vicars  they  name  themfelves),  and  Peter  s  poverty, 
their  predecefTor,  were  given  them  by  Charls  and 
Lewis,  Emperours.  And  yet  notwithftanding  all 
that  large  benignity  and  kindneffe  fhewed  to  him 
and  his  Aunceftors,  John  the  12th  made  Otho,  King 
of  Germany,  Emperour;  and  afterward  Gregory  the 
third,  a  German  born,  for  to  gratifie  the  Emperour 
his  Countryman,  Decreed,  that  the  Bifhops  of 
Mogunce,    Treverence,    and     Collen,    the   Marquefs 


HO  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  4. 

of  Brandenhurgh^  the  County  Palatine^  Duke  of 
Saxony,  and  King  of  Bohemia,  fhould  have  full  power 
to  choofe  the  Emperour,  about  the  year  of  our 
Lord,  1,002. 

Thus  the  Bifhops  of  Rome  have  been  Inhanced 
in  worldly  power,  that  they  think  themfelves  equal 
with  Princes,  Kings,  and  Emperours.  But,  as  it  was 
falfly  Ufurped,  fo  fhall  it  by  the  Word  of  God,  be 
rooted  out  and  extirpated,  as  an  unprofitable  Tree. 


CHAP.  VIII. 


THE    DIVIDING  OF  PRIESTS   INTO   SUNDRY   DEGREES  ; 

A    MANNER  OF    SWEARING,   AND 

EXCOMMUNICATION. 


G 


REGORY,  firnamed  the  Great,  where  be- 
foretime,  Priefts  and  chief  Priefts  were  onely  ufed 
in  the  Congregation,  firft  divided  them  into  Patri- 
archs and  Archbifhops.  Patriarchs  at  the  firft  were 
of  Rome,  Antioch,  Alexandria,  Jerujalem,  and  Con- 
ftantinople  ;  Archbifhops  had  their  title  to  be  called 
Metropolitans,  becaufe  their  See  was  in  the  Mo- 
ther-City of  the  Province.  Clement  the  firft  or- 
dained, that  all  Patriarchs  and  Archbifhops  fhould 
wear  a  Pall,  which  doth  fignifie  Meeknefs  and  Juf- 
tice,  wherewith  they  fhould  efpecially  be  garnifhed. 
Then  alfo  the  inferiour  Orders  began  to  be  divided, 


Lib.  4-  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  141 

as  that  the  Arch-Deacon  fhould  be  above  a  Dea- 
con, and  Arch-Prieft  above  the  Prieft,  and  over 
them  the  Deans  ;  and  then  were  ordained  Canons, 
that  fing  in  Cathedral  Churches."  Antherius  per- 
mitted, that  a  Bifhop  might  change  his  Bifhoprick 
for  another,  upon  an  honeft  cause,  if  he  were 
thought  fufficient  to  difcharge  a  greater,  for  his 
learning  and  godlinefle.  Caius  firft  made  a  Statute, 
that  a  Prieft  might  not  be  Convented  before  a 
Temporal  Judge  :  but  left  any  man  fhould  be  cir- 
cumvented by  fraud  or  guile,  Eutichianus  inftituted, 
That  the  accufation  fhould  be  put  in  writing  be- 
fore the  Judge.  Likewife  Cornelius  decreed,  that  a 
man  fhould  not  take  or  require  an  oath  of  a  Prieft, 
but  onely  in  matters  concerning  Religion  and 
Faith. 

The  manner  of  Swearing,  was  in  old  time  of  this 
fort:  He  that  fhould  fwear,  took  a  Stone  in  his 
hand,  and  faid  ;  If  I  deceive  you  that  I  know, 
Jupiter  banifh  me  out  of  all  good  mens  company, 
preferving  the  reft  of  the  City,  as  I  caft  away  this 
ftone  from  me.  And  (as  Pliny  doth  write)  it  was 
not  lawfuU  for  any  man  to  bear  an  Office  five  dayes, 
unlefs  he  were  fworn.  In  like  manner  our  Bifhops, 
Kings,  Priefts,  or  other  Officers  fwear,  before  they 
be  admitted  to  the  Office. 

Justinianus,  Emperour,  appointed  firft  that  men 
ihould  fwear  by  the  Gospel :  and  now  adayes,  all 
that  fwear,  lay  their  hand  on  the  book  and  kiffe 
it,  faying.  So  help  me  God,  and  the  holy  Gofpel : 
becaufe  as  the  Gofpel  of  our  Religion  and  Faith, 
may  for  no  caufe  be  violated ;  fo  an  Oath  in  no 
cafe  may  be  broken. 


142  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  4. 

The  fafhion  of  excommunicating  men  that  be 
obftinate  and  difobedient  to  the  Officers,  or  com- 
mon tranfgreflbrs,  came  (as  fome  think)  out  of  the 
Rites  of  the  Jews,  which  banifhed  out  of  their 
Synagogue,  all  thofe  that  ran  in  obftinacy  againft 
their  Traditions. 

And  fome  fuppofe  it  fprung  of  the  Religious 
folk  in  France,  named  Bruides,  which  (as  C^far 
recordeth)  if  either  a  private  man  or  officer,  were 
not  conformably  ordered  after  their  Ceremonies, 
excluded  him  out  of  their  company. 


CHAP.  IX. 


CONSECRATING  NUNS,  TAKING  OFF  OUR  CAPS, 

KISSING  THE    POPES   FEET,   AND    WASHING 

OF  FEET. 

T 

X  HE  cuftome  to  confecrate  Virgins,  making  a 
vow  of  chaftity,  was  found  by  Pius  the  firft,  which 
instituted  alfo  that  none  fhould  be  made,  before 
fhe  were  25  years  old ;  and  that  they  might  be 
confecrated  at  no  time,  but  in  the  Epiphany  or 
Twelf-day,  Eafter  Eaven,  and  on  the  Feafts  of  the 
Apoftles,  unlefs  it  were  when  any  profelTed,  were 
in  point  to  dye.  And  Sotherus  caufed  that  a 
Decree  was  made  that  no  fuch  ProfefTed,  fhould 
touch   Cope^  or  put  Incenfe  into  the  Cenfors  the 


Lib.  4.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  14^ 

year  of  our  Lord  God  175.  It  feemeth  to  have 
begun  of  the  Apoftles,  which  is  proved  by  Pauls 
words,  where  he  faith,  let  no  Widow  be  chofen, 
before  fhe  be  threefcorc  years  of  age,  with  divers 
like  fayings. 

Lynus  Bifhop  of  Rome,  commanded  that  no 
woman  fhould  enter  into  the  Congregation  or 
Temple,  with  her  head  bare,  which  appeareth  to 
have  been  taken  of  the  Hebrews:  for  the  Bifhop 
in  the  old  Law  might  not  uncover  his  head,  and  in 
Arabia  and  Carthage,  it  was  taken  for  an  unhoneft 
and  unreverent  thing,  if  a  Woman  fhould  uncov- 
er her  head,  and  go  bare.  The  taking  off  of  our 
caps  to  our  Superiours,  fignifieth  that  we  fhould 
difclofe,  and  fhew  them  all  fuch  things,  as  we  have 
in  our  cuftody. 

The  Rite  diabolick,  of  Kifling  the  Bifhop  ot 
Romes  feet,  took  its  original  of  the  manner  of  the 
Romans,  which  in  their  Paganifm,  ufed  to  kiff  the 
feet  of  the  people  and  other  nobles,  in  token  of 
obedience:  as  Seneca  telleth  how  Caius  C^Jar 
ftretched  out  his  left  foot,  that  Pompeius  a  Cartha- 
ginian might  kiffe  it. 

Pomponius  L^tus  writeth,  that  the  Emperours 
ufed  to  give  their  hands  to  be  kifled  of  the  Nobles, 
and  then  to  take  them  up,  to  kifle  their  mouths, 
and  the  Commons  kiffed  their  knees:  but  Caius 
Caligula,  and  Dioclefianus,  made  them  to  ftoop  to 
their  feet.  This  Pagan  example,  our  Chriftian 
Bifhop  and  Gods  Vicar,  full  uncomely,  and  ungod- 
ly, doth  counterfeit.  All  other  Bifhops  ufed  to 
deliver  their  right  hand,  to   be   kifled  of  fuch  as 


144  POLIDORE  VIRCIL.  Lib.  4. 

came  to  falute  them:  For  the  Right  hand,  as  Pliny 
faith  in  the  nth  book,  hath  in  itfelf  a  certain 
Religion,  and  therefore,  we  make  all  Covenants 
and  Promifes  with  it.  The  manner  of  faluting 
with  kifTes,  is  very  ancient,  for  it  was  the  manner 
of  the  Hebrews  to  kifle  ftrangers  at  their  firft  meet- 
ing, as  Jacob  kifled  Rachel,  before  he  broke  unto 
her,  that  he  was  of  kindred:  and  Laban,  after  he 
knew  him  to  be  his  fifters  fon,  embraced  him  with 
his  Arms,  and  kifled  him.  And  the  Romans  cuftome 
was  to  kifle  their  kinsfolk,  but  afterwards  it  was 
extended  to  further  familiarity,  and  is  now  frequen- 
ted very  lafcivioufly.  Albeit,  in  Rome  it  was  an 
Ordinance,  that  Women  f  hould  kifs  their  kinsfolk, 
becaufe  that  if  f  he  had  drunk  any  Wine,  contrary 
to  the  Law  made  againft  the  Women,  for  drinking 
of  Wine,  by  fuch  means  fhe  might  be  efpied. 

Wafhing  of  feet,  on  Maunday-Thurfday,  that 
the  Priefts  ufe  among  themfelves,  and  Nobles  to 
inferiour  perfons,  is  a  counterfeit  of  the  inftitute 
of  Chrift,  who  to  fhew  them  a  pattern  of  humil- 
ity and  meeknefs,  wafhed  the  Apoftles  feet.  The 
Kings  and  Queens  of  England  that  day,  wafh  the 
feet  of  fo  many  poor  men  and  women,  as  they  be 
years  old,  and  give  to  every  of  them,  fo  many 
pence,  with  a  Gown,  and  an  ordinary  Alms  of 
meat,  and  kifl!e  their  feet,  and  afterwards  give  their 
gowns  on  backs  to  them  that  they  fee  moft  need 
of  all  the  number.  It  is  a  godly  inftitute,  I 
would  there  were  more  fuch  Ceremonies  to  help  the 
poor.  For  they  be  now  neglected,  and  not  re- 
garded, but  lie  dead  often  in  the  ftreets,  for  lack  of 
fuftenance. 


CHAP.    X. 


WITH    OTHER    RELIGIONS    OF    THE    ROMANES. 


N 


UMA  POMPILIUS,  the  fecond  King  of 
Rome,  willing  to  reclaim  that  fierce  Nation  from 
war  and  Chivalry,  to  the  regard  of  Juftice,  and 
keeping  of  Peace,  ordained  to  the  High  God 
Jupiter,  a  facred  perfon  called  Flamen  Dialis,  that 
is,  Jupiters  Prieft. 

And  to  advance  the  order,  he  fet  him  in  a  Cha- 
riot of  Ivory,  and  a  coftly  robe  :  but  fo  foon  as  his 
Wife  was  deceafed,  he  was  difcharged,  and  gave 
over  his  Office. 

He  never  road  out,  nor  might  not  lye  one  night 
out  of  the  City,  left  any  facrifices  fhould  be  neg- 
lected by  fuch  abfence. 

Swearing  was  clean  forbidden  him,  becaufe  an 
Oath  is  a  manner  of  punifhment  to  any  free-born 
man,  and  namely  to  a  Prieft,  which  hath  charge  of 
all  divine  obfervances :  For  his  word  fhould  have 
the  weight  of  an  Oath. 

I  could  wilh  that  our  Bifhops  would  mark  and 
follow  both  thofe  properties  of  thefe  Heathen  Re- 
19 


146  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  4. 

ligions,  for  then  the  ftate  of  our  Religion  fhould 
be  better  cafe  then  it  is,  and  others  would  not  en- 
force fo  lightly,  a  Prieft  to  the  neceffity  of  an  oath, 
which  fhould  have  no  other  terms,  but  yea  and 
nay,  to  confirm  or  deny  their  faying. 

Befide  this  Elamin,  that  was  called  Dialis  becaufe 
he  was  confecrated  to  Jupiter^  there  were  by  the 
fame  Nurna  ordained  two  other,  one  to  Mars,  ano- 
ther to  purine  ;  albeit  Plutarch  faith  it  was  Romu- 
lus that  inftituted  Priefts  to  Jupiter  and  Mars. 

Virgins  Veftall,  were  of  his  bringing  in  alfo,  and 
founded  in  honour  of  Vejla,  daughter  to  Saturnus. 
The  firft  that  ever  was  chofen  into  that  Religion, 
was  called  Arnata,  and  of  her  all  were  named  like- 
wife.  A  maid  might  not  be  under  lix  years  of  age, 
nor  above  ten,  if  fhe  were  created  of  this  Religion. 
Thefe  continued  in  their  profeffion  thirty  years, 
where  of  the  firft  ten  they  fpent  in  learning  the 
Rites,  the  other  ten  they  miniftred,  and  the  last  of 
their  years,  they  taught  other  Novices,  and  when 
her  term  of  years  was  expired,  fhe  might  marry  or 
tarry  in  that  Religion  ftill.  They  were  found  at 
the  charges  of  the  common  cheft :  and  if  any  of 
them  committed  any  carnal  ad  with  any  man,  fhe 
was  born  in  the  fight  of  all  the  people  out  of  the 
City,  and  at  the  gate  named  Callina,  was  buried 
quick.  They  rode  in  a  Wagon,  and  other  Magif- 
trates  rode  to  them,  and  if  they  came  by  in  time  of 
execution,  the  condemned  was  quite  delivered. 
This  Religion  began  at  Alba  by  the  inftitution  of 
Afcanius,  and  was  renued  in  Rome  by  King  Numa, 
A  high  Bifhop  was  inftituted  alfo  by  him,  to  have 


Lib.  4.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  147 

the  chief  ftroke  in  all  ceremonies  of  Sacrificing,  and 
he  prefcribed  the  dayes  and  places  of  Sacrifices,  and 
in  what  form  they  fhould  be  done.  He  ordained 
alfo  to  Gradivus  Mars,  twelve  Priefts  named  Salii ; 
becaufe  they  danced  in  a  folemn  manner,  and  went 
about  the  city  with  fongs.  They  ware  an  embroid- 
ered coat,  with  a  Brazen  Breaftplate,  and  a  round 
Tergate.  It  feemeth  that  Numa  took  this  Rite 
from  the  Hebrews  ;  for  David  went  before  the  Ark 
of  the  Lord  dancing. 

Heraulds  of  Arms  which  were  called  Feciales 
Sacerdotes,  were  ordained  by  him,  to  provide  that  no 
battle  were  unjuftly  taken  in  hand:  they  alfo  made 
leagues,  eftablifhed  Peace,  or  if  it  were  not  duely 
made,  they  might  break  it,  and  offer  oblation  for 
the  oflfence  of  the  Captain,  and  the  whole  Army. 
Pater  Patratus  was  an  Officer  that  made  all  leagues 
or  Bonds,  and  was  created  by  the  Heraulds,  as 
Marcus  Valerius  firft  Herauld,  ordained  Spurius 
Fufius  firft  in  the  office  of  Pater  Patratus.  After 
the  expulfing  of  Kings,  an  office  called  Rex  Sacrii- 
culus  was  appointed,  which  ffiould  do  all  fuch  cuf- 
tomable  obfervances,  as  the  Kings  ffiould  do  ;  Al- 
beit, it  was  under  the  High  Prieft  or  Bifhop,  the 
firft  that  did  bear  that  office,  was  Marcus  Papirius, 

Epulones  had  the  office  of  appointing  feafts,  and 
folemn  Bankers  to  Jupiter  and  the  other  gods, 
thefe  were  alfo  called  Sodales  Titii,  which  were 
ordained  by  Romulus  after  he  joyned  fellowfhip 
with  Titus  Tatius, 

THE  END  OF  THE  FOURTH  BOOK. 


Polidore  Virgil. 

The  Fifth  BOOK, 
CHAP.  I. 

OF    THE    DECKING    OF    CHURCHES     ON    HOLY-DAYES; 

OFFERING    OF  IMAGES   OF    WAX,   AND    TABLES  OF 

miracles;    SOLEMNIZING   FIRST   MASSES 

OF    PRIESTS. 


T 


HERE  be  many  fuperftitious  Cuftoms  crept 
in  among  Chriftian  Congregations,  which  came 
of  an  Ethnick  opinion:  and  becaufe  they  could  not 
altogether  be  abolifhed  and  extirpated,  yet  they 
were  tranfpofed  to  a  better  ufe,  and  removed  from 
Idolatry,  to  the  garnifhing  of  Churches  and  Tem- 
ples of  the  faithfull  people.  As  trimming  of  the 
Temples  with  hangings,  flowrs,  boughes  and  gar- 
lands, was   taken   of  the    Heathen    people,  which 


Lib.  5.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.       .  149 

decked  their  Idols  and  houfes  with  fuch  array.  In 
like  manner  it  is  to  be  thought,  of  the  rite  of 
hanging  up  Images  of  Wax,  and  Tapers  before 
Saints,  or  as  often  as  any  member  is  difeafed,  to 
offer  the  fame  in  wax,  as  leggs,  arms,  feet,  Paps, 
Oxen,  Horfe,  or  fheep,  which  were  hanged  up  in 
the  Church,  before  that  Saint,  by  whom  (as  they 
believed)  they  had  obtained  health,  of  the  faid 
member  or  beaft:  for  this  came  of  an  old  Heathe- 
nifh  fafhion  of  facrifices,  that  the  Pagans  offered 
to  Saturnus  and  Pluto,  in  I  fie  of  Italy,  named 
Cotillia,  whereof  I  fpake  before.  I  think  the  bear- 
ing of  Candles,  that  we  ufe  on  the  Feafh  of  the 
Purification  of  our  Lady,  called  Candlemas-d^yj 
came  of  this  Gentile  rite  alfo,  that  in  burning  them, 
we  might  worfhip  the  Saints,  as  they  honoured 
their  falfe  god  Saturn.  It  feemeth  that  Lamps  and 
hanging  lights  began  of  the  Candles,  that  Mofes 
fet  up  to  burn  in  the  Tabernacles.  The  fafhening 
np  of  Tables,  wherein  the  Miracles  are  written, 
for  a  Monument  and  teftimony  to  the  pofterity, 
came  of  a  cuftome,  as  Strabo  writeth,  that  is  ufed 
in  Greece,  where  the  manner  is  that  whofoever  was 
relieved  of  any  fickneffe  or  malady,  fhould  hang 
up  a  Table,  containing  the  recovery  of  his  health, 
in  the  Temple  of  that  God,  that  had  preferved 
him,  and  efpecially  there  were  many  fet  up  in 
MJculapius  sT ^my^\^  at  Epidaurus.  The  ufe  of  feaft- 
ing  on  holy-dayes,  and  at  the  firft  Maffe  of  Priefts, 
was  borrowed  alfo  of  the  Gentiles,  which  honoured 
the  day  of  confecrating  their  Religious  as  folemnly, 
as  the  day  of  their  Nativity,  with  devout  and  re- 


I50  •     POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  5. 

ligious  breakfafts  and  feafts,  calling  it,  the  Native 
day  of  their  facred  perfonages:  whereof  Apuleius 
maketh  mention.  And  it  is  a  good  ufage,  becaufe 
the  day  of  the  birth  bringth  but  onely  life,  the  day 
of  confecrating  a  Prieft  bringeth,  or  elfe  ought  to 
procure  a  good  and  godly  life.  Albeit  on  Maundy- 
Thurfday,  hath  been  the  manner  from  the  begin- 
ning of  the  Church,  to  have  a  general  drinking,  as 
appeareth  by  S.  Paur s  writing  to  the  Corinthians, 
and  Tertullian  to  his  Wife. 


CHAP.  II 


THE   MANNER   OF  CASTING   MONEY  TO  THE   PEOPLE, 
NEW-YEARS  GIFTS,    DANCING,    MAYING,   CHRISTMAS 
LORDS. 


I 


T  fmelleth  alfo  of  Gentility  that  the  Bifhop 
of  Rome^  Emperours,  and  Kings  at  their  Corona- 
tion, are  wont  to  fcatter  money  among  the  Com- 
mons, and  make  Royal  feafting,  which  is  a  pretence 
or  fign  of  the  beneficence  or  liberality,  that  is  to  come 
afterwards.  For  the  old  Romans  ufed  the  fame  or- 
der and  inftitution,  in  their  Triumphs,  Games,  and 
Funerals,  as  Suetonius  recordeth. 

Prefenting  of  New-years  gifts  had  its  original 
thence  likewife  ;  for  Suetonius  Tranquillus  reporteth 
that  the    Knights    of  Rome   gave    yearly    on    the 


Lib  5.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  151 

Kalends  of  January^  a  prefent  to  Auguftus  C^efar, 
although  he  were  abfent.  Which  cuftome  remaineth 
in  England;  for  the  Subjeds  fend  to  their  Superiours, 
and  the  Noble  perfonages  give  to  the  Kings  fome 
great  gifts ;  and  to  gratify  their  kindneffe,  he  doth 
liberally  reward  them  with  fome  thing  again. 

But  I  commend  more  the  manner  of  the  Ital- 
ians:  for  there  the  richeft  and  moft  noble,  give  to 
the  poor  inferiours;  it  is  a  fignification  of  good 
and  profperous  fortune  of  all  the  whole  year  fol- 
lowing. 

The  ufe  of  Dancing  (as  Livy  faith)  came  from 
the  Hetrufcans  to  Rome,  which  we  exercife  much  on 
HolidayeSj  as  they  did:  not  without  {lander  of  our 
Religion,  and  hurt  and  damage  of  chaftity. 

As  for  Masks,  they  be  fo  devillifh,  that  no 
honefty  can  be  pretended  to  colour  them  ;  Zacharias 
Bifhop  of  Rome,  made  a  decree  againft  it,  but  that 
availeth  nothing. 

At  the  Kalends  of  May,  the  Youth,  as  well  men 
as  women,  are  wont  to  go  a  Maying  in  the  fields, 
bring  home  boughs  and  flowers  to  garnifh  their 
houfes  and  gates,  and  in  fome  places  the  Churches: 
which  fafhion  is  derived  of  the  Romans  that  ufe 
the  fame  to  honour  their  Goddefs  Flora,  with  fuch 
Ceremonies,  whom  they  named  Goddefs  of  fruits. 

The  Chriftmas  Lords  that  be  commonly  made, 
at  the  Nativity  of  the  Lord,  to  whom  all  the 
houfhold  and  family,  with  the  Mafter  himfelf, 
muft  be  obedient,  began  of  the  equality,  that  the 
fervants  had  with  their  Mafters  in  Saturnus  Feafts 
that  were  called  Saturnalia:  wherein  the  Servants 


1S2  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  5. 

have  like  Authority  with  their  Mafters,  during  the 
time  of  the  faid  feafts. 

And  this  furnifhing  of  our  bellies  with  delicates 
that  we  use  on  Faftingham  Tuefday,  what  time 
fome  eat  till  they  be  enforced  to  forbear  all  again, 
fprung  of  Bacchus  feafts,  that  were  celebrated  in 
Rome,  with  great  joy  and  delicious  fare. 

And  our  Midfummer  bone-fires,  may  feem  to 
have  come  of  the  Sacrifices  of  Ceres,  Goddefs  of 
Corn,  that  men  did  folemnife  with  fires,  trufting 
thereby  to  have  more  plenty  and  abundance  of 
Corn. 

Difguifing  and  Mumming  that  is  ufed  in  Chrift- 
mas  time  in  the  North  parts,  came  out  of  the  Feaft 
of  Pallas,  that  were  done  with  Vizors,  and  painted 
Vifages,  named  ^inquatria  of  the  Romans. 


CHAP.    Ill 


THE      MANNER      OF      ANOINTING 

THEM    THAT     BE    CHRISTNED,     CONFIRMED,     OR 
SORE    SICK. 


W 


HEN  Mofes  had  builded  the  Tabernacle, 
he  was  commanded  to  make  a  confedion  of  holy 
Ointment,  wherewith  both  the  Work,  the  VefTels, 
Priefts,and  alfo  Kings,  which  be  called  to  that  office 
or  dignity,  ought  to  be  anointed  :  fo  that  it  came 


Lib.  5.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  153 

to  pafTe,  that  the  anointing  was  the  very  token  and 
difference,  whereby  Kings  were  known  among  the 
Hebrews,  as  the  Emperours  in  Rome  were  known 
by  their  Purple  Roabs.  Aaron  and  his  Sons,  were 
the  firft  anointed  Priefts,  and  Samuel  anointed  Saul 
firft  King  over  Ifrael,  and  To  confequently  it  grew 
into  a  cuftome,  that  Priefts  and  Kings  were  anoint- 
ed. By  which  thing  is  fignified,  that  they  be  fpe- 
cially  favoured  of  God,  and  like  as  Oyl  lyeth  aloft 
on  the  water,  or  other  liquor,  fo  the  office  of  a 
Prieft,  and  dignity  of  a  Prince,  furmounteth  all 
other  degrees  of  Minifters,  both  in  the  adtive  and 
alfo  contemplative  life. 

Silvefter  Bifhop  of  Rome  ordained  firft,  that  all 
that  were  Chriftened,  Churches,  and  Chalices,  fhould 
be  anointed  with  Oyl.  Our  oyl  that  is  now  ufed,  is 
made  of  Oyl  Olive,  and  natural  Balm,  Fabianus 
commanded  that  it  fhould  be  renewed  every  Mun- 
day  and  Thurfday. 

Clement  the  firft  ordained,  that  all  Children  and 
other  that  were  Chriftened,  fhould  be  anointed 
again  with  Crifme,  and  he  instituted  alfo  the  Sacra- 
ment of  Confirmation,  fuppofing  that  no  man 
were  a  perfed  Chriftian,  if  that  Rite  and  Ceremony 
were  by  negligence  omitted.  For  this  caufe  that 
the  Holy  Ghoft  might  more  plentifully  be  given 
to  them  by  the  hands  of  the  Bifhop. 

This  thing  began  of  the  example  of  the  Apof- 
tles,  which  fent  Peter  and  John  into  Samaria,  to  lay 
their  hands  on  them,  that  they  might  receive  the 
Holy  Ghoft.  It  is  onely  miniftred  by  a  Bifhop 
in  this  wife:  firft  he  asketh  the  name  of  the  child, 
20 


154  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  5. 

and  then  maketh  the  fign  of  the  CrofTe  in  his  fore- 
head, with  the  Chrifme,  saying  :  Iftgn  thee  with  the 
token  of  the  Croffe,  and  confirm  thee  with  the  Chrijme 
of  Salvation^  In  the  name  of  the  Father^  the  Son,  and 
the  Holy  Ghost y  that  thou  may  he  replenifhed  with  the 
Holy  Spirit,  and  have  everlafiing  life ;  So  be  it.  And 
then  he  fmiteth  the  cheek  of  the  Child  foftly  ;  but 
if  he  be  of  a  great  age,  he  giveth  a  fharp  stroke, 
that  he  may  remember  that  myftery,  faying.  Peace 
be  with  thee. 

Felix  the  fourth  did  inftitute,  That  fuch  as  were 
in  extreams  f  hould  be  anointed,  following  the  ex- 
ample of  the  Apoftles,  which,  as  Mark  witnefleth, 
cured  many  difeafes  by  anointing  them,  and  St. 
James  fpeaketh  of  a  like  thing  in  his  Epiftle. 


CHAP     IV 


IT      WAS      FORBIDDEN  ;      WITH      OTHER      LAWS 
TOUCHING    MARRIAGE. 


M 


OSES  the  Minifter  of  God  among  the 
Ifraelites,  which  were  defirous  to  augment  and  am- 
plifie  their  ifTue,  ordained,  that  all  men  indiffer- 
ently, as  well  Priefts  as  Lay-people  fhould  take 
wives,  left  the  debarring  them  from  matrimony, 
might  be  occafion  of  greater  enormity,  and  incon- 


Lib.  5.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  155 

venience  among  them.  Albeit,  becaufe  of  the  dig- 
nity of  the  order  of  Priefthood,  he  made  reftraint, 
that  they  fhould  marry  none  that  was  taken  pri- 
foner,  bond-woman,  or  divorced  from  their  former 
hufband ;  and  the  Bif  hops  might  not  be  married 
but  to  Maids.  As  concerning  our  Priefthood, 
Sylvefter  the  firft,  after  the  Text  of  St.  Paiil^  com- 
manded that  a  Prieft  fhould  marry  but  one  wife, 
and  after  to  live  fole  alone;  as  Paul  had  a  wife,  as 
may  appear  in  his  Epiftles  to  the  Philipians  and 
Corinthians.  And  Clement  Bif  hop  of  Alexandria^ 
and  Ignatius^  which  was  in  Paul's  time,  witnefle 
the  fame. 

Peter  and  Philip  had  wifes  and  daughters,  whom 
they  beftowed  honeftly  in  marriage  to  hufbands. 
And  St,  Peter  feeing  his  Wife  led  to  death,  for  the 
profeffion  of  Chrift,  with  great  joy  of  her  con- 
stancy, faid ;  Wife,  remember  the  Lord.  This 
order  the  Greeks,  and  all  the  Eaft  parts  of 
Chriftendome  do  ufe,  which  would  not  confent  to 
the  Councel  of  Neece,  wherein  it  was  propounded 
That  the  Priefts  fhould  forfake  their  Wives :  And 
namely,  Paphnutius^  the  holy  and  chafte  Bifhop, 
that  came  out  of  the  borders  of  Egypt,  withftood 
that  Decree  very  earneftly.  Stiricius  the  firft  for- 
bade the  Priefts  of  the  Weft  parties,  and  Deacons 
to  marry,  the  year  of  our  Lord  337.  He  inftitu- 
ted  alfo.  That  he  that  either  wedded  a  Widow,  or 
took  a  fecond  wife,  could  not  be  made  Prieft. 
Pelagius  the  fecond  enforced  the  Sub-deacons  to 
forfake  their  wifes.  And  Gregorius,  becaufe  he 
thought  it  violent  to  divorce  them,  ordained,  That 


156  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  5. 

from  his  time,  none  fhould  be  Sub-deacon,  unlefTe 
he  vowed  Chaftity  before.  Notwlthftanding,  the 
Lawes  before  made  took  no  efFed  among  the 
Priefts  of  the  Weft  parts,  untill  the  time  of 
Gregory  the  feventh,  which  was  the  year  of  our 
Lord,  1074. 

And  here  Polidore  protefteth.  That  the  fingle 
life  of  Priefts  doth  more  harm  to  the  Religion, 
fhame  to  the  Order,  and  grief  to  honeft  men,  then 
their  conftrained  chaftity  profiteth:  If  they  were 
reftored  to  the  liberty  and  choice,  it  were  no  pre- 
judice to  the  Chriftian  Commonwealth,  and  honefty 
for  the  Order.  In  the  beginning  men  married  their 
fifters  and  kinfwomen;  but  Mqfes  reftrained  them 
of  the  Hebrews  from  the  firft  and  fecond  degrees: 
and  Fabianus  forbade  the  third  and  fourth ;  which 
Cuftome  ftandeth  now  in  effed,  Theo'dorus  did 
inhibit  firft.  That  a  man  might  not  marry  that 
Maid,  to  whom  his  father  was  a  God-father.  It 
was  confirmed  firft  by  Gregory^  and  after  by  Alexan- 
der the  third.  That  no  man  ftiould  marry  his  bro- 
ther's wife,  left  it  fhould  be  thought  to  be  a  coun- 
terfeit of  the  Hebrews.  Lantech  was  the  firft  that 
ever  had  two  wives  whofe  example  many  others  en- 
fued  afterwards. 

The  cuftome  of  purifying  of  women,  was  taken 
of  the  Hebrews,  but  there  is  no  day  or  time  ap- 
pointed for  it.  Neverthelefs,  for  an  honeft  order, 
they  ufe  commonly  not  to  be  purified  before  the 
moneth  day,  and  then  with  a  few  honeft  Matrons, 
fhe  commeth  accompanied  to  the  Church,  and 
ofFereth  a  wax  Taper,  and  the  Chrifome. 


CHAP.    V. 

OF  THE    TEMPLES,   CHURCH-YARDS ;   WHEN  THE 
CROSSE  WAS   FIRST    HAD   IN   REVERENCE. 


I 


N  the  OldTeftament,  Mojes  fet  up  a  Tabernacle, 
curioully  edified  to  God,  wherein  Supplication  and 
Interceffion  was  made  to  him  for  the  fins  of  the 
people.  And  in  that  he  made  the  Ark  of  Con- 
venant,  in  the  which  he  put  the  town  Tables  of 
ftone,  containing'  the  Law  of  Ten  Commande- 
ments,  Aaron  s  rod,  and  the  pot  of  Manna.  After 
him,  Solomon^  King  of  the  Hebrews,  made  at 
Hierufalem  a  Temple  of  coftly  array,  and  fumptu- 
oufly  wrought.  I  cannot  (to  fay  truth)  perfedly 
tell,  where  the  firft  Church  of  Chriftians  was 
builded,  but  by  all  conjedure,  it  feemeth  that  it 
was  made  of  the  Apoftles,  either  in  Ethiopia,  where 
Matthew  preached;  or  in  Lower  India,  where  Bar- 
tholomew taught;  or  in  Scythia,  where  Andrew 
fhewed  the  Word  of  God.  Where  they  doubt- 
lefTe,  either  caufe  new  Churches  to  be  edified,  or 
elfe  tranfpofed  the  Idol's  Temples,  to  ferve  the 
Chriftians  ufe,  abolifhing  Superftition,  and  plan- 
ting the  true  Religion  of  Chrift.  Albeit,  it  were 
not  againft  reafon,  to  fuppofe  there  was  a  Temple 


158  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  5. 

or  houfe  of  prayer,  appointed  by  James  at  Jerufa- 
lem.  In  Rome  the  firft  that  I  read  of,  was  con- 
fecrated  by  Pius  Bifhop  of  Rome,  in  the  ftreet  call- 
ed PatriciuSy  at  Novatus  Baths,  in  honour  of  the 
Virgin  Prudentia,  at  the  requeft  and  fuit  of  Praredis 
her  fifter.  And  after  Califtus  made  a  Temple  to 
the  Virgin  Mary,  in  a  place  beyond  Tiberis,  and 
inftituted  a  Church-yard  in  Apius  s  ftreet,  and  call- 
ed it  after  his  own  name.  But  Abraham  was  the 
firft  that  made  any  place  of  burial  in  Hebron, 
where  he  bought  of  Ephron  an  Hittite,  the  double 
Cave  for  300  f hekels  of  filver,with  the  ground  about 
it;  and  there,  was  Sarah  his  wife,  and  he  himfelf 
buried. 

Noah  builded  the  firft  Altar,  and  offered  upon  it 
a  burned  Sacrifice  to  the  Lord.  And  Bonifacius  the 
third,  caufed  that  they  were  covered  with  linnen 
cloaths.  Conftantinus  when  he  had  won  the  battail 
againft  Maxentius,  by  reafon  of  a  vifion  that  he 
faw  of  the  crofie  the  day  of  the  battle,  ordained, 
that  from  thenceforth,  no  man  fhould  fuffer  death 
on  the  crofTe.  And  fo  in  procefTe  of  time,  it  was 
had  in  much  reverence  and  worfhip.  And  Theodo- 
Jius  made  a  law.  That  there  fhould  no  Image  of 
the  crofie  be  graven  in  ftone,  marble,  or  in  earth, 
left  men  fhould  tread  on  it.  Hellen,  Conftantine  s 
Mother,  a  very  vertuous  woman,  repaired  to  Jeru- 
Jalem,  to  feek  the  Crofle  of  our  Lord,  where  with 
great  labour  and  diligence,  fhe  found  it,  and  with 
it  the  other  two,  whereon  the  Theeves  were  hanged : 
but  it  was  eafie  to  preceive  Chrift's  Crofle  by  the 
Title,  which  then  did  remain,  albeit  fore  wafted 
and  corrupted  with  Antiquity. 


CHAP.  VI. 

OF  THE  ANCIENT   RITE    OR  SACRIFICING;    FEAST- 
DAYES,    DEDICATING  TEMPLES;   THE   MYSTERY 


C 


AIN  and  Abel^  two  fons  of  our  firft  Father 
Adam  offered  in  facrifice  to  God  the  firft  fruits  of 
their  goods.  Jbel\i\^  oblation  was  a  Lamb  ;  Cain 
his  gift  was  Corn.  Afterward,  when  the  Prieft- 
hood  was  ordained,  Aaron  and  his  fons  offered 
divers  things  with  fundry  Ceremonies,  which  he 
fhewed  at  large  in  book  of  Leviticus. 

The  Gentiles  almoft  all  facrificed  to  the  Idols 
men  or  women  after  fundry  rites,  as  appeareth  in 
the  Hiftories  of  Gentile-Authors.  And  if  it 
fortuned,  that  they  omitted  any  fuch  abominable 
idolatry,  they  had  great  punifhment,  deftrudion 
of  their  fruit,  corruption  of  their  water,  infedion 
of  the  Ayr,  death  of  Cattel,  great  droughts, 
women  had  evil  deliverance,  with  many  fuch 
plagues,  as  T)ionyfius  Halicarnajfeus  witnefTeth,  which 
the  fpirits  of  the  ayr  procured  to  delude  and  feduce 
men,  and  confirm  them  in  their  error. 

The  holy-dayes  among  the  Jews,  were  divers,  as 


i6o  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  5. 

the  Sabbath-day,  the  Feaft  of  the  new  Moon,  the 
Pafleover,  the  Feaft  of  unleavened  bread,  Pente- 
coft,  the  Feaft  of  Tabernacles,  the  Dedication  day: 
which  be  all  fhewed  largely  in  the  Old  Teftament. 

The  ufe  of  dedicating  Churches,  is  of  great  an- 
tiquity; for  Mojes  did  fan<5lifie  the  Tabernacle;  and 
Solomon  confecrated  the  Temple  that  he  builded  at 
Jerufalem.  And  EJdras  after,  when  they  returned 
from  the  Captivity  of  Babylon,  hallowed  the 
Temple  new  again.  Of  them  we  receive  our  Rite 
of  hallowing  of  Churches,  albeit  we  have  more 
ceremonies  then  they  had. 

Fire  was  kept  continually  on  the  Altar  by  the 
Priefts;  for  without  it  and  fait,  could  no  facrifice 
be  duly  made,  or  ordinarily  offered;  and  we  in  our 
Maffes  have  ever  a  Taper  of  Wax  burning.  And 
the  Emperours  of  Rome  had  Fire  born  before 
them,  and  the  Veftals  had  ever  perpetual  Fire  in 
the  Temple  where  they  ferved  Vejia. 

The  fpirits  of  the  ayr,  that  gave  doubtfull 
anfwers  to  them  that  enquired  any  queftion  of 
them,  were  at  the  coming  of  Chrift  all  deftroyed. 
For  when  he  was  carried  into  Egypt,  which  is  a 
Country  full  of  fuperftition  and  Idolatry,  all  the 
Idols  of  that  Region  were  overthrown,  and  fell  to 
the  ground  at  his  coming  thither.  And  in  the 
time  of  Adrian  the  Emperour,  both  the  wicked 
facrifices  were  abolifhed,  and  alfo  the  Oracles  of 
Apollo  at  Delphos^  Jupiter-Hammon  in  Egypt,  with 
like  vanities  were  fubverted  by  the  power  of  God 
through  his  Son  Jefus  Chrift. 

Holy  Water  was  ordained  by  Alexander  t\iQ  ^r(t. 


Lib  5.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  161 

to  be  confecrated  to  drive  away  Spirits,  and  was 
commanded,  that  it  fhould  be  kept  as  well  in 
Churches,  as  in  private  houfes  for  the  fame  ufe: 
whereof  are  grown  among  the  common  people 
many  fuperftitious  errours,  contrary  to  the  Word 
of  God. 


CHAP.    VII. 

WHO    ORDAYNED     PRAYING.       WHY    WE    LOOK 

EASTWARD,   MINISTRING    THE   SACRAMENT 

OF  THE    ALTAR. 

r  ORASMUCH  as  we  are  created  of  God, 
after  his  own  Image,  for  the  intent  to  honour  and 
ferve  him,  and  fo  finally  to  enjoy  the  eternal  in- 
heritance of  Heaven,  which  we  muft  attain  to  by 
Prayer,  acknowledging  our  own  infirmities,  and 
referring  us  to  the  mercy  of  our  moft  loving 
Father.  It  fhall  therefore  be  convenient  to  declare 
the  inflitution  of  Prayer. 

Prayer  therefore  was  from  the  beginning,  as 
y4ifel  prayed,  Noak,  Abraham^  Ifaac,  Jacob,  with 
other  Patriarks,  prayed  to  God  in  all  their  doubt- 
full  affairs,  and  gave  thanks  for  the  good  atchiev- 
ing  of  them.  Mqfes  and  Aaron,  with  other,  as 
Anna  the  wife  of  Helcanah  fhewed  us  an  example 
of  Prayer.  But  Chrifl  is  the  firfl  that  did  fhew  us 
any  fpecial  form  of  Prayer,  as  appeareth  in  the 
21 


i62  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  5. 

Gofpell  of  Matthew.  Afterwards  when  men  began 
to  count  their  Prayers,  as  though  God  were  in  our 
debt  for  often  begging  of  him,  there  were  devifed 
by  one  Petrus  Her  emit  a  a  Frenchman  of  the  City  of 
Amiens^  Bedes,  to  fay  Lady  Pfalters  on,  the  year 
of  our  Lord  1090.  The  fame  Petrus  was  occafion 
that  Pope  Urbane  ftirred  the  Chriftians  to  make  a 
Voyage  into  Afta,  at  which  time  Jerufalem  was 
recovered. 

The  manner  of  turning  our  faces,  into  the 
Eaft,  when  we  pray,  is  taken  of  the  old  Heathens, 
which  as  Apuleius  remembreth,  ufed  to  look  Eaft- 
ward,  and  falute  the  Sun  ;  we  take  it  in  a  cuftome  to 
put  us  in  remembrance  that  Chrift  is  the  Sun  of 
RighteoufnelTe,  that  difclofeth  all  fecrets.  But  that 
was  not  lawfull  for  the  Hebrews^  as  may  feem  to 
us  by  the  fetting  of  the  Tabernacle,  and  they  muft 
ever  look  toward  the  Temple  as  the  flory  of  Daniel 
declareth.  Mqfes  when  he  had  received  the  ten 
Commandements,  aflembling  the  people  together, 
fhewed  them  the  will  of  God,  and  that  was  the  firfl 
Sermon  or  Preaching:  and  the  Prophets  had 
without  doubt  open  collations:  And  afterward 
John  Baptiji  in  the  WildernefTe  of  Jury  Preached, 
and  fo  did  Chrift  himfelf,  and  gave  Authority  to 
the  Apoftles  and  Difciples  by  fpecial  Commande- 
ment  to  do  the  fame. 

The  bleffed  Sacrament  of  the  Altar  was  inftitu- 
ted  by  our  Saviour  Jefus  Chrift,  a  little  before  his 
PafTion  in  Jerufalem  at  his  Supper,  when  he  had  en- 
ded the  Pafchal  lamb,  in  this  wife :  He  took 
bread,  and  after  he  had  given  thanks,  he  brake  it, 


Lib.  5.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  163 

and  gave  it  to  his  Difciples,  faying,  Take  and  eat^ 
This  is  my  body  that  Jhall  be  given  for  you  ;  So  tak- 
ing the  Cup,  he  gave  thanks  likewife,  and  deliv- 
ered it  to  them.  Saying,  Drink  ye  all  of  this  Cup^for 
this  is  my  bloud  of  the  Nezv  Tejiament,  which  is  Jhed 
for  the  remijfon  of  fins.  Thus  under  the  form  of 
bread  and  Wine,  he  gave  to  them  particularly  his 
body  and  bloud  fandified  in  and  by  the  Word.  And 
gave  commandement  that  like  Sacrifice  fhould  be 
made  in  remembrance  of  him. 

Alexander  the  Bifhop  of  Rome  did  ordain  that  this 
oblation  fhould  be  made  of  fweet  bread,  where 
before  it  was  Leavened  bread.  And  he  commanded 
that  water  fhould  be  mixt  with  Wine  in  the  Cup. 


CHAP.  VIII 


AND   INCREASED  THE   PARTS  OF  THE   MASSE. 

A  .^VERY  thing  at  the  firft  in  the  Miniftery  of 
the  Lords  Supper,  was  plain,  fincere,  and  without 
any  mixture  of  Ceremonies,  containing  more  vertue 
then  Solemnity.  For  it  is  manifefh  that  Peter, 
which  either  firft  of  all,  or  elfe  with  the  reft  of  the 
Apoftles,  did  confecrate  often  times  after  the  Rite 
that  he  had  received  of  Chrift,  and  by  and  by, 
after  the  Confecration  joyned  to  the  Lords  Prayer 


i64  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  5. 

or  Pater  ISIoJler:  And  I  fuppofe  it  was  not  much 
differing  from  the  Maffe  that  is  ufed  in  the  Church 
on  Good  Friday.  Ccelejiinus  ordained  the  prayers 
that  the  Prieft  faith  when  he  revefteth  himfelf  to 
Maffe,  or  at  putting  on  his  cloaths  that  beginneth 
Judica  me  Deus,  &c.  Albeit  it  feemeth  by  the 
words  of  Chryjoftome  in  the  nth  Homily  on 
Matthew  that  it  was  taken  of  the  Churches  of 
Greece  and  Afia^  which  ufed  to  fing  Pfalms  while 
the  people  affembled  together.  Datna/us  inftituted 
the  confeffion  at  the  beginning  of  Maffe,  and 
fome  refer  it  to  Pontianus.  Kyrie  eleefon  was  fre- 
quented in  Greece  firft,  and  Gregorius  caufed  it  to 
be  faid  nine  times  in  the  Latine  Church.  Gloria  in 
excelfts  is  afcribed  of  fome  to  Telejphorus,  of  fome 
to Hilarius,  of  fome  to  Symmachus ;  and  the  Councel 
of  Toletane  thinketh  that  the  Doftors  of  the 
Church  made  it.  Colled:  Gelafius  and  Gregory 
gathered.  And  the  Grail  was  appointed  by  them 
alfo.  Alleluya  was  tranflated  from  Jerujalem  to  the 
Latine  Church  in  the  time  of  Damajus.  The 
Trad,  Durandus  faith  was  devifed  by  Telefphorus  and 
Sequences  were  invented  firft  by  one  Nothgerus  an 
Abbot.  The  Epiflles  and  Gofpel  were  (as  Hierom 
writeth)  ufed  in  the  Eaft  Churches  of  very  ancient 
time,  wherefore  I  fuppofe  we  had  the  manner  to 
read  the  Epiftle  and  Gofpell  of  thofe  Churches; 
Yet  fome  fay  Telefphorus  ordained  them,  and  fome 
fuppofe  that  Jerome  at  the  requeft  of  Damajus  did 
devide  them,  as  we  read  them  now  at  this  day. 
Anajlafius  commanded  that  we  ffiould  ftand  at  the 
Gofpel  in  token  that  men  fhould  be  in  a  readinefs 


Lib.  5.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  165 

to  defend  the  dodrine  of  the  Gofpel.  The  firft  part 
of  the  Creed  Marcus  ordained  to  be  read  after  it  was 
made  by  the  Councel  of  Nicene ;  and  the  fecond 
part,  Et  Spiritum  Jan^um,  that  the  Counfel  of  Con- 
Jlantinople  compofed  Damajus  caufed  to  be  read  in 
the  Church,  Eutichianus  inftituted  the  Offertory  to 
be  fung  whilft  the  people  offered  fuch  things  as 
went  to  the  relief  and  comfort  of  the  poor:  The 
Offertory  remaineth,  but  the  poor  are  forgotten;  as 
though  they  had  no  part  in  Chrifl,  and  were  vile 
abjeds  of  the  World. 

Gelafius  made  the  Prefaces,  howbeit  in  the 
beginning  they  ufed  but  one  Preface.  And  Secius 
added  the  SanElus  out  of  the  Prophet  EJay, 
Wafhing  of  hands  began  either  of  the  old  Tefla- 
ment,  where  they  did  nothing  with  unwafhed  hands, 
or  elfe  of  the  Gentiles,  which  before  their  Sacrifices 
ufed  to  wafh  their  hands,  as  Hefiodus  witnefTeth. 

Burning  of  Incenfe,  that  was  occupied  in  the 
old  Teftament  by  Aaron  and  of  the  Panims  in  their 
fuperftitious  Rites,  Leo  the  third  ordained  to  be 
had  in  the  Latine  Church.  The  Privity  of  the  MafTe 
called  the  Canon  was  made  by  divers  perfons,  as 
Gelafius  made  Teigtiur.  Setitius  added  Communicantes^ 
and  Alexander  the  firft,  that  was  long  before  them, 
made  ^ipridie,  and  that  was  the  beginning  of  the 
Canon  before  that  time.  For  Alexander  was  340 
years  and  more  before  Gelafius.  Hancigitur^  Leo 
joyned;  and  Gregory  annexed  three  petitions  in  the 
fame,  Dies  que  noftros,  and  fo  forth.  Innocencius  the 
firft  inftituted,  that  Priefts  in  the  upper  part  of 
the  Church,  called  the  Chancel  or  Quire,  fhould 


i66  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  5. 

klfle  one  another,  and  that  Pax  fhould  be  born  to 
the  people.  BlefTing  with  hands  and  Chalices, 
came  out  of  the  Hebrews  Ceremonies :  For  Aaron 
after  he  had  facrificed,  blefled  the  people.  And 
Chrift  at  his  Afcention  blefled  his  Difciples.  Ser- 
gius  ordained  the  Agnus  dei,  feven  hundred  years 
after  Chrift,  to  be  fung  of  the  Clergy  at  the  time 
of  the  Communion.  The  often  turning  of  the 
Prieft  to  the  Altar,  when  he  faith  Dominus  Vobif- 
cum  or  Orates  fratres,  came  of  the  Hebrews  rites; 
where,  in  facrifice  time,  the  Prieft  turneth  him  to 
caft  the  bloud  of  the  Sacrifice  on  the  people,  and 
the  Heathens  ufed  the  fame  fafhion  in  their  fuper- 
ftitions,  and  therefore  doubtlefle  we  had  thofe  Cere- 
monies of  them. 


CHAP.  IX. 

WHY   WE   SAY,    ITE    MISSA    EST,   WHEREOF  THE 

WORD   MASSE  AND  CEREMONY  CAME; 

THE  FIRST   MANNER  OF  TAKING 

THE   SACRAMENT. 


W 


HEN  Mafle  is  ended,  the  Deacon  turning 
to  the  people,  faith,  Ite,  miffa  eft;  which  words  are 
borrowed  of  the  rites  of  the  Pagans;  and  fignifieth, 
that  then  the  company  may  be  difmifled.  It  was 
ufed    in    the    facrifices    of   Ifis^    that    when     the 


Lib.  5.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  167 

obfervances  were  duly  and  fully  performed  and 
accomplifhed,  then  a  Minifter  of  the  Religion 
fhould  give  warning  or  a  watch-word,  what  time 
they  might  lawfully  depart:  And  of  this  fprung 
our  cuftome  of  Singing,  Ite,  mijfa  efi,  for  a 
certain  fignification,  that  the  full  fervice  was 
finifhed. 

Maffe^  is  an  Hebrew  word,  (as  Reucline  faith) 
and  fignifieth  an  oblation  or  facrifice,  with  all  cir- 
cumftances  concerning  the  fame. 

The  Romans  called  all  fuch  fervice,  as  appertained  to 
their  gods,  in  one  general  name.  Ceremonies,  becaufe 
a  certain  people  named  Cerites,  received  the  reliques 
and  other  obfervances  of  the  Romans  Religions 
devoutly,  and  perferved  them ;  for  when  the 
Frenchmen  by  the  valiantnefs  of  their  Captain, 
Brennus  (that  was  a  Brittain  of  this  Land) 
had  won  the  City,  for  that  benefit  all  the 
rites  of  their  gods  univerfally  were  named  Cere- 
monies. 

Alexander  inhibited  Priefls,  that  they  fhould  not 
facrifice  but  once  in  a  day;  and  Telejphorus  per- 
mitted them  to  fay  three  MafTes  on  Chri{1:mafs  day: 
Firft,  at  mid-night,  what  time  Chrifl  was  born: 
the  fecond,  in  the  morning,  when  fhepherds  vifited 
him:  The  third,  at  further  of  the  day,  where 
afore-time  it  was  not  lawfull  to  celebrate  before  the 
third  hour  of  the  day. 

Felix  the  firfl  decreed.  That  no  Mafs  might  be 
faid  but  in  places  confecrated,  faving  in  the  time  of 
necefTity,  and  that  none  but  Priefls  admitted  fhould 


i68  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  $. 

intermeddle  with  the  myflerles  of  confecratlon, 
becaufe  that  authority  was  onely  given  to  the 
Apoflles  at  the  beginning,  by  whom  Priefts  be 
meant  and  underftood. 

Anacletus  ordained,  That  no  Mafle  fhould  be 
done,  but  in  the  prefence  of  two  at  the  leaft, 
left  the  Prieft  fhould  fay  in  vain  to  the  walls, 
Dominus  Vobifcum,  when  none  were  prefent  ; 
and  therefore  they  do  evill,  that  confecrate  in 
corners  alone.  Albeit,  Gratianus  referreth  that 
fo  Soterus^  which  perchance  did  renew  that  con- 
ttitution. 

The  Sacrament  was  ufed  of  our  predeceflburs  in 
the  Primitive  Church  every  day,  as  Luke  witnefleth 
in  the  A^s  of  the  Apoftles :  and  Anacletus  caufed  it 
to  be  renewed  by  a  Decree,  upon  pain  of  Excom- 
munication. And  Vi^or  denounced,  That  thofe 
fhould  be  interdided  from  all  fervices,  that  (when 
they  fliould  receive  the  Sacrament)  would  not  be 
reconciled  to  their  Neighbours  of  all  grudges, 
hatreds,  and  difpleafures. 

Zepherinus,  an  hundred  years  after  Anacletus^ 
commanded.  That  all  that  profefled  Chrift,  or  bare 
the  name  of  Chriftians,  being  of  the  age  of  12  or 
14  years,  fhould  at  the  leaft  once  in  the  year,  at 
Eafter,  receive  the  blefled  Sacrament.  Fabianus 
decreed,  that  they  fhould  receive  it  three  times  in 
the  year. 

Innocentius  the  third  decreed.  That  the  Sacra- 
ment fhould  be  kept  in  the  churches,  to  the  intent 
to  be  in  a  readinefle  at  all  times,  left  they  that  were 


Lib.  5. 


POLIDORE  VIRGIL. 


169 


fick,  fhould  want  the  fpiritual  comfort  in  that 
troublefome  time  of  death  ;  and  Honorius  the  third 
confirmed  the  fame. 


THE    END    OF    THE    FIFTH    BOOK. 


22 


Polidore  Virgil 

The  Sixth  BOOK, 
CHAP.    I. 

AURICULAR    CONFESSION. 


A 


LBEIT  Man,  redeemed  with  the  precious 
bloud  of  Jesus  Chrift,  is  fully  reconciled  to  GOD, 
and  all  the  heavineffe  of  his  difpleafurebe  appeafed  : 
yet  the  poyfoned  nature  of  man  is  fuch,  the  occa- 
(ions  of  fin  be  fo  many  and  fo  great,  that  in  this 
flippery  way  of  worldly  life,  we  muft  needs  (our 
infirmity  enforcing  us  thereto)  fall  into  the  fnares 
of  the  Devil  and  fin.  But  God,  as  he  is  all  mercy, 
willing  the  death  of  no  finner,  but  that  he  convert 
and  live,  hath  left  us  the  comfortable  falve  of  re- 
pentance, as  a  prefent  remedy  againft  all  fuch  incur- 
iions  of  our  enemy,  of  fragility  of  body,  whereby  we 
may  with  a  good  hope  call  to  our  Heavenly  Father 
for  the  forgivenefTe  of  our  offences  and  trefpaffes. 


Lib.  6.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  171 

For  (as  the  Prophet  ^z^/^/V/ recordeth)  What  hour 
foever  the  finner  doth  lament,  and  is  repentart  for 
his  finSj  God  (for  his    Son    Jefus    fake)    will    no 
longer    bear    them    in    remembrance.     Therefore 
whofoever  with  concupifcence  vanquifhed,  or    by 
luft  inforced,  by  errour  deceived,   or  by  force  con- 
ftrained,  doth  fall  to  any  kind  of  injuftice,  let  him 
not   defpair  in  his  own  confcience,  or  miftruft  the 
bottomlefle  mercy  of  God ;  but  with  good  courage 
repair  to  this  medicine,  repentance  and  contrition 
of  heart:      Confequently  it  fhould    be  the  Peni- 
tent's  office  and  duty,  after  fuch  heavinefs  taken, 
as  it  were  by  a  vomit,  to  fpue  out  of  his  confcience 
all  fuch  unwholfome  things  as  might  remain  ftill, 
engender  defperation,  or  imbezell  his  hope  in  the 
promifes    of   God.     For    this    caufe,    ConfefTion, 
named  Auricular,  that  is  made  to  the   Prieft,  was 
at  the  beginning  inftituted;  that  men  might  there- 
in open  their  hearts  to  their  Curates,  and  receive  at 
their  hands   the  oyl   of  the   Gofpel  ,of  Chrift,  to 
fupple  their  raw  and  young  fores.     It  was  the  in- 
ftitution   of  Innocentius  the  third,   that  fo  many  as 
were  by  age  fubjed,  or  in  danger  to   commit  fin, 
fhould  at  the  leaft  once  in  the  year  be  confefTed  to 
their  Curates,  to  whom  it  concerneth  to  know  the 
behaviour  of  his   Parifhioners,  for  as  much  as  he 
muft  render  a  ftraight  account  of  his  cure.     And 
therefore  it  is  evill  in  mine  opinion,  to  have  thefe 
common  Penitentiaries,  which  be  the  occafion,  that 
Curates  give  not  their  counfel  where  need  is,  and 
men  thereby  be  more  bold  to  fin,  feeing  they  fhall 
not  be  rebuked  by  fuch  common  ConfefTors,  but 


172  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  6. 

for  their  money  have  ready  abfolution,  with  fmall 
exhortation,  to  amend  their  fmfulnefs.  This  Con- 
feflion  is  proved  in  the  Text  of'S.  JameSy  where 
he  faith,  Confejfe  your  fins  one  to  another ^  and  one 
pray  for  another.  And  alfo  in  the  20  Chapter  of 
John^  where  Chrift  faith,  Receive  the  Holy  Ghoji  : 
Whofe  fins  foever  you  remits  they  are  forgiven  them ; 
and  whofe  fins  foever  you  retain,  they  are  retained. 


CHAP.  II. 

MATTINS,    SINGING  OF   PSALMS  BY   COURSE, 
LEGENDS  OF    SAINTS. 


M 


ATTINS  with  Prime  and  Hours,  were 
appointed  firft  by  Hierome,  for  one  Eufebius  of 
Cremona,  and  divers  others,  that  lived  with  him,  to 
fing  in  the  Churches.  And  the  Fathers  and  old 
Governours  of  Congregations,  received  them  fol- 
lowing the  Verfe  o^  David  in  the  119  Pfalm. 
Seven  times  in  the  day  have  I  given  andfung  prafe  to 
thee.  Cyprian  writeth  that  the  prime  and  other 
hours  took  their  original  of  Daniel.  Which  after 
the  cuftome  of  his  Countrey,  thrice  in  the  day. 
Morning,  Noon,  and  Evening,  on  his  knees  ufed 
to  pray.  It  was  alfo  the  Rite  of  the  Heathen,  to 
have  morning  Prayers,  for  Apuleius  faith,  that  they 
fung  falutations  of  the  new  light,  and  fhewed  that 


Lib.  6.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  173 

it  was  prime  of  the  day:  where  he  meaneth  by 
falutation,  the  morning  fongs  that  we  call  Mattins, 
and  there  declareth  how  the  hours  of  the  day  were 
forted,  and  devided  for  Sacrifices  and  Prayers. 
Pelagius  the  fecond  was  the  firft  that  commanded 
Priefts  to  fay  them  dayly,  that  like  as  the  juft  man 
falleth  feven  times  on  the  day,  fo  by  inftant  and 
continuall  prayer,  he  might  as  often  rife  and 
amend. 

Urbanus  the  fecond,  ordained  the  Lady  Mattins 
to  be  faid  daily,  and  confirmed  them  in  the  Coun- 
cel,  which  he  had  at  Mount e  Clare  in  France. 

The  divifion  of  Davids  Pfalter  into  feven  parts 
called  Nodurns,  according  to  the  feven  dayes  in 
the  week,  was  the  Work  of  Hierojne,  at  the  requeft 
of  Damajus  Bifhop  of  Rome^  which  alfo  gave  Com- 
mandement  that  it  fhould  be  read  alfo  in  the 
Churches,  and  added  Gloria  Patri  to  the  end  of 
every  Pfalm. 

'Damajus  alfo  inftituted  that  the  Pfalms  fhould 
be  fung  and  faid  by  courfe.  Though  fome  fay 
Ignatius  did  devife  that  before  his  time,  which  thing 
was  learned  of  David  or  AJaph:  for  in  the  old 
Synagogue,  they  ufed  to  fing  their  Pfalms  after  that 
fort  but  our  finging  is  far  from  their  manner.  For 
our  fingers  cry  outfo  loud,  that  we  hear  nothing  fave 
a  noife,  and  thofe  that  be  prefent,  cannot  be  edified 
with  the  word.  It  were  great  furtherance  to 
Religion,  If  thofe  fingers  were  either  banifhed 
out  of  the  Temples,  or  elfe  their  finging  were  more 
moderated,  that  the  words  might  be  underftood, 
to  the  edifying  of  the  Laity,  which  is  fore  blinded 


174  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  6. 

with  finglng  and  found  of  Inftruments,  that  be  not 
fit  to  edify,  but  to  delight  the  Ears.  This  modeft 
finging  was  ufed  by  the  holy  Athanaftus  Bifhop  of 
Alexandria^  through  all  his  Province  and  Diocefs, 
as  Auftin  witnefTeth.  Darnafus  commanded  that 
the  common  Creed  fhould  be  faid  every  hour. 
Vttalianus  invented  the  decent  tunes,  wherein  the 
Hymns  be  fung  and  joyned  the  Organs  to  them. 
Legends  of  Saints,  were  made  the  year  of  our 
Lord  800  by  Paulus  Diaconus  and  IJuardus  a  Monk, 
at  the  defire  of  Char  Is  the  Great.  And  for  as 
much  as  the  Perfecutions  were  fo  great,  that  in  the 
time  o{  Dioclefian  the  Emperour,  there  died  17000 
Chriftians,  within  30  days  fpace,  they  could  not 
particularly  write  all  their  lives,  but  made  certain 
general  Legends  of  Martyrs,  ConfefTours,  Virgins, 
which  we  now  call  the  Common;  and  the  Fathers 
commanded  thofe  to  be  read  in  the  Church  on  fuch 
Saints  dayes.  Afterward  many  thinking  that  they 
fhould  be  heard,  rather  for  their  much  babling 
fake,  devifed  fundry  manners  of  praying,  and  divers 
ufes:  as  Bennet's  Monks  had  one  ufe;  Bernard's 
another,  and  Dominicks  brethren  had  one  order  by 
themfelves,  and  every  Provincial  Bifhop,  made  a 
feveral  Ufe  in  his  Diocefs,  and  all  were  confirmed 
by  the  Bifhops  of  Rome. 


CHAP.    III. 

* 

THE  BEGINNING  OF    FASTING,  ALMS,   ADVENT,   LENT, 
EMBRING    DAYS. 


F 


ASTING  and  Alms-deeds  be  (as  Sl  Augufiine 
faith)  the  two  wings  of  prayer,  wherewith  it  is  made 
ftronger,  and  lighter  to  fly  into  the  prefenceof  God, 
and  be  more  acceptable  in  his  fight.  Fading  hath 
been  ufed  from  the  beginning  of  the  World,  when 
the  Fruit  of  the  Tree  of  knowing  good  and  evil, 
was  forbidden  to  our  firft  Parents  in  Paradife, 
becaufe  by  fuch  abllinence  they  might  obtain  and 
enjoy  everlafting  felicity. 

Alms,  in  like  manner,  fprung  of  the  infirmity  and 
needinefs  of  the  nature  of  men :  for  as  they  felt  hun- 
ger, cold,  nakednefs,  and  fuch  other  calamities,  as 
be  in  our  mortal  life,  they  were  conftrained  todefire 
ayd  and  fuccour  of  other  men,  as  of  alms.  Albeit 
Mqfes  was  the  firft  that  ever  prefcribed  any  law  of 
giving  alms,  as  appeareth  in  the  book  o(  Deutero- 
nomy, Charitable  alms  muft  be  fo  freely  given, 
that  we  exempt  none  from  the  ufe  and  part-taking 
of  it ;  and,  as  the  Scripture  faith,  without  refpect 
ofpersons. 


176  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  6. 

As  for  Fading,  of  that  original  proceeded  further, 
for  the  use  of  Flesh  and  Wine,  from  Adam,  till  the 
time  of  Noah  was  unknown.  And  Mqfes  forbare 
meat  fourty  days ;  and  Elias  did  likewife :  Our 
Saviour  Christ  fafted  the  fame  fpace.  And  God 
pardoned  the  Ninivites  of  their  crimes,  becaufe  they 
fafted  with  repentance. 

The  Jews  alfo  in  their  law,  fo  oft  as  they  either 
asked  any  benefit  of  God,  or  would  pacifie  his  wrath, 
or  render  thanks  for  his  benefits,  or  kept  any  folemn 
Feafts,  ufed  commonly  to  fail.  And  certainly  he 
keepeth  not  the  true  faft,  which  forbeareth  flesh,  or 
foregoeth  his  Supper,  but  he  that  diminifheth  his 
aflfedions,  abateth  his  anger,  aflVageth  his  Pride, 
moderateth  his  defires,  mortifiethhis  lulls,  fuffereth 
patiently  all  adverfities  ;  that  man  is  the  true  fafl:er. 
Albeit  the  other  is  a  coadjutor  to  that  thing,  and 
helpeth  much  that  purpose. 

Therefore,  to  the  intent  we  might  reclaim  fuch 
corruptions,  of  our  old  Adam. 

The  Apofl:les  did  ordain  the  Fafl:  of  Lent,  as 
Hierome  in  an  Epiflle  to  Mercella  doth  plainly  de- 
clare. 

Wherefore  they  that  refer  it  to  Telefphorus,  be 
deceived,  for  he  did  not  infliitute  it  firfl:,  but  ap- 
pointed that  it  fliould  be  kept  before  Eafter.  And 
added  another  Week  to  it,  which  we  call  ^inqua- 
gefima. 

This  week  he  commanded  Priefls  to  faft  more 
than  the  Laity,  becaufe  that  they,  which  ought  to 
be  Holier  than  the  reft,  ftiould  in  this  ordinary 
Fast,  ftiew  more  abftinence  then  other. 


Lib.  6.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  177 

The  Apoftles  alfo  inftituted  that  there  fhould  be 
a  folemn  Faft  for  three  Weeks  before  the  Nativity 
of  our  Lord,  named  Chriftmas :  which  conftitution 
was  a  while  kept  univerfally,  but  afterwards  it  was 
refigned  to  the  Monks  and  Religious  perfons. 

Califius,  or  as  fome  think,  Urbanus^  did  begin  the 
Embring  dayes  quarterly,  for  the  prefervation  and 
amplification  of  fruits,  ordained  for  the  fuftenance 
of  men  and  beafts.  Albeit,  I  rather  take  it  to  be 
an  imitation  of  the  old  Roman  feafts,  which  thrice 
in  the  year  had  facrifices  for  the  profperous  fuccefle 
of  their  Corn.  One  Vinalia,  for  their  Wines.  The 
other  Robigalia,  for  all  their  grain,  left  it  fhould  be 
mildewed.     The  third  Floralia^  for  all  their  fruits. 

Thefe  vain  fuperftitions  the  old  Bifhops  of 
Rome  turned  to  a  Godly  ufe,  and  tranfported  their 
Feafting  into  Fafting,  that  they  might  the  rather, 
at  the  contemplation  of  our  Prayers  and  Fafting, 
God  might  profper  the  increafe  of  all  fruits  to  the 
fuftentation  of  his  Creatures. 


CHAP.  IV 


WATCHES  WERE    TURNED    INTO  FASTS ;    FASTING    ON 

FRIDAYES     AND     WEDNESDAYES;      NAMING    THE 

DAYES    OF    THE    WEEK     IN     SUNDRY    WISE. 


I 


T  was  the  manner,  from  the  beginning  of  our 
Chriftian  Faith,  that  forafmuch  as  our  Saviour  was 
born  in  the  night,  Priefts  did  rife  in  the  night  fea- 
23 


178  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  6. 

fon,  and  fung  the  hours  Canonlcall,  otherwife  named 
the  Mattins:  and  the  Lay  people  was  accuftomed 
on  those  Saints  Eves,  that  were  any  folemn  Feafts, 
to  watch  at  the  Tombs  of  Martyrs,  Praying,  and 
finging  holy  Pfalms.  Which  thing  the  Teftimony 
of  Pliny  doth  approve,  where  he  writeth  in  an 
Epiftle  to  Trajane,  how  much  number  of  people 
was  flain,  in  whom  he  could  never  efpy  any  fault, 
faving  that  before  day,  at  certain  times  and  Feafts, 
they  arofe  and  fung  the  commendation  of  Chrift 
whom  they  called  God.  But  as  time  is  the  cor- 
rupter of  all  worldly  things.  So  devotion  began  to 
abate,  and  inftead  of  Hymns,  they  fung  difTolute 
ballads,  and  prayer  was  turned  into  wanton  dal- 
liance. The  youth  went  about  light  amorous 
company,  the  eldeft  perfons  practifed  baudry, 
women  were  not  afhamed  to  give  themfelves  to  be 
corrupted,  in  all  kind  of  whoredome.  Upon  this 
occafion  the  old  fathers  fearing  left  it  fhould  grow 
to  a  further  inconvenience,  turned  the  Vigils  into 
Fafting  dayes. 

Notwithftanding,  the  Priefts  ufed  their  ordinary 
times  of  Service,  as  they  were  wont  to  do,  and 
fuch  Feafts  were  called  by  the  name  of  Vigills,  and 
obferved  with  no  lefle  reverence  then  the  Faft  of 
Lent.  This  remedy  was  provided  after  Sl  Hier- 
omes  time,  which  dyed  the  year  of  our  Lord  422, 
when  Bonif actus  the  fecond  was  Biftiop  of  the  See 
of  Rome, 

The  like  cuftome  was  alfo  obferved  among  the 
JEgyptians^  which  on  the  Evens  of  their  high  feafts 
fafted,  and  after  they  had  flept,  they  offered  a  Cow, 


Lib.  6.   *  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  179 

all  fuch  night  Sacrifices,  and  obfervances  for  like 
caufes,  were  by  a  perpetuall  Law  in  Greece  abro- 
gated, by  Diagundas  a  Thehane,  The  Fail  of  Wed- 
nefday  and  Friday,  was  commanded  by  the  Fathers 
becaufe  on  the  one  day  Chrift  was  Crucified,  and 
on  the  Wednefday,  Judas  purpofed  in  his  mind  to 
bewray  him,  as  Apollonius  the  Eloquent  Oratour 
fuppofed.  Silvejier  the  firft,  Bifhop  of  Rome^  ab- 
horring the  memorial  of  the  vain  Gentile  gods, 
decreed  that  the  dayes  of  the  Week,  which  had 
before  the  names  and  Titles  of  the  Sun,  Moon, 
Mars,  Mercury,  Jupiter,  Venus,  and  Saturn, 
fhould  be  called  the  firft,  fecond,  third,  fourth, 
fifth,  fixth,  and  Seventh  Ferie  ;  as  the  Jews  count- 
ed their  dayes  from  the  Sabbath  day.  He  did  alfo 
call  the  firft  Ferie,  Dominicus  Dies,  that  we  name 
Sunday,  and  called  Saturday  Sahbatum  of  the  old 
holy  day,  and  reft  of  the  Hebrews  :  all  thefe  things 
were  done  at  the  Suit  of  Constantine  then  Emper- 
our.  Albeit,  the  Jpojlles  before  that  time,  had 
confecrated  the  Sunday  to  the  Lord,  becaufe  that 
day  he  rofe  from  death,  and  the  Jews  Sabbath  was 
turned  into  it,  as  may  appear  by  the  decree  of 
Pius,  that  ordained  the  Eafter  to  be  kept  on  the 
Sunday  :  and  therefore  I  think  Silvejier  did  but 
onely  renew  the  fame  A61  of  the  Sunday.  It  was 
the  invention  of  the  Egyptians  that  the  dayes  were 
firft  named  after  the  7  Planets,  as  Diodorus  record- 
eth.  Saint  Gregory  was  the  Author,  that  neither 
flefti,  nor  any  thing  that  hath  affinity  with  it,  as 
Cheefe,  Milk,  Butter,  Eggs,  fiiould  be  eaten  on 
fuch  days  as  were  fafted.     We  have  alfo  a  manner 


i8o  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  6. 

and  ufage  of  hallowing  the  Table  and  meat,  before 
we  be  fet,  that  began  of  the  imitation  of  Chrift, 
which  ufed  the  fame  fafhion  over  the  five  loave^in 
the  WildernefTe,  and  at  Emaus  alfo,  he  did  like- 
wife  confecrate  the  Table,  in  the  prefence  of  his 
Difciples :  fo  was  the  form  of  faying  Grace  after 
Supper,  taken  likewife  of  the  Cuftome  that  Chrift 
commonly  kept  at  his  Suppers. 

The  manner  to  read  a  part  of  the  Bible  at  din- 
ner time,  hath  been  of  long  continuance,  and  did 
proceed  of  the  Godly  dodrine,  that  Chrift  in- 
ftruded  his  Difciples  in,  at  all  times,  but  namely 
at  his  laft  Supper,  wherein  he  treated  of  the  perfec- 
tion of  all  the  Myfteries  of  our  Religion.  And 
thus  our  fathers,  to  keep  in  memory  fuch  an 
wholefome  inftitution,  did  bring  in  this  manner  of 
reading  the  Scripture  at  meat  or  meal-time. 


CHAP.     V. 


THE    ORIGINAL     OF  HOLY-DAYES,    PASCHAL  CANDLES, 
BIRTH-DAYES. 


L 


rIKE  as  the  Jews  had  in  their  Law,  (which 
was  but  onely  a  ftiadow  of  things  to  come)  holy- 
dayes  appointed  for  the  execution  of  the  myfte- 
ries of  their  Religion,  whom  they  in  one  general 
term,  named  Sabbath-dayes,  of  the  reft  and  vaca- 


Lib.  6.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  i8i 

tion  that  they  had  from  bodily  labours  :  femblably 
our  fathers  have  ordained  Feaftival  dayes,  in  the 
New  Teftament,  wherein  Chriftian  men  (all  pro- 
phane  bufinefles,  and  evil  matters  laid  apart)  might 
wholly  apply  themfelves  to  godly  and  fpiritual 
meditations.  As  the  perufing  and  reading  of  Scrip- 
tures, hearing  of  devout  Sermons,  rendring  honour 
to  God  by  facrificing,  praying,  and  well  doing,  be 
works  fit  and  convenient  for  the  holy-day,  and  alfo 
reverencing  the  memorial  of  Saints  on  fuch  days  as 
be  affigned  to  that  purpofe,  is  on  the  holy  day 
laudable.  For  Oblation  is  onely  due  to  God ; 
as  Paul  and  Barnabas  did  openly  teftifie  al  Liftra, 
For  when  he  had  commanded,  by  the  power  of  the 
Word  of  God,  that  the  man,  which  was  lame  from 
his  Mother's  womb,  fhould  arife  and  walk  ;  the 
people  for  wonder  and  marvail  of  the  Miracle, 
would  have  done  facrifice  to  them  ;  but  they  rent- 
ing their  cloathes,  departed  out  of  the  prefs,  and 
with  fharp  words  rebuked  their  enterprife,  as  a 
thing  unmeet  to  be  done  to  any  mortal  man,  or 
worldly  creature.  " 

Firft  of  all,  the  Feaft  of  Eafter  was  inftituted  by 
the  Apoftles,  and  Prefcribed  by  Pius  the  Firft,  to 
be  folemnized  on  the  Sunday.  Afterward  Vi^or 
that  was  Biftiop  of  Rome,  (about  the  196th  year 
of  our  Lord)  decreed.  That  it  ftiould  be  kept,  and 
celebrated  on  the  Sunday,  from  the  fourteenth  day 
of  the  firft  moneth,  that  was  March  ;  until  the  22 
of  the  fame,  left  our  order  and  account,  ftiould 
agree  with  the  Jews,  which  kept  it  fomewhat  fooner 
then  that  appointment  fpeaketh  of:    albeit  many 


1 82  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  6 

forraign  BIfhops  at  the  firft,  refufed  that  Conftitu- 
tion,  becaufe  they  thought  it  not  amlfs  to  keep 
the  Feaft  after  the  prefident  of  Saint  John  the 
Apoftle,  who  renewed  the  Rite  of  the  Jews,  in  the 
Feaft  of  Eafter. 

The  cuftome  of  hallowing  Pafchall  Candles  on 
Eafter  Eve,  was  commanded  by  Zozinus^  to  be 
frequented  in  every  Church. 

The  manner  of  keeping  holy  the  birth-day  of 
every  man,  was  much  ufed  in  Rome  ;  albeit  the 
Perfians  had  that  ufage  before  them.  For  there  it 
is  the  fafhion,  that  every  man  after  his  ability, 
fhould  with  obfervance  of  dainty  feafts,  worfhip 
the  day  of  their  birth;  and  of  them  the  Romans 
received  that  superftition. 


CHAP.     VI 


OF       THE       INSTITUTION        OF       HOLY-DAYES,       AND 
CANONIZING. 


A 


,S  you  have  heard  that  Saint  John  the  Apoftle 
did  celebrate  the  Feaft  of  Eafter,  even  fo  the  other 
Apoftles  (as  it  is  faid)  were  authours  not  onely  of 
the  fame  Eafter-Feaft;  butalfo  ordained,  Thatthofe 
dayes  wherein  our  Saviour  had  done  any  myftery, 
concerning  our  falvation  or  information,  fhould  be 
kept  holy:  and  to  the  intent  they  might  be  more 
reverenced  of  their  pofterity,  they  themfelves  kept 


Lib.  6.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  i8j 

them,  during  their  lives,  very  devoutly;  as  the 
Sundayes,  Advent,  the  Nativity,  Circumcifion,  and 
Epiphany  of  our  Lord,  the  Purification  of  our 
Lady  called  Candlemas,  Lent,  Palm-Sunday, 
Maunday-Thurfday,  when  Chrift,  after  Supper, 
wafhed  his  Difciples  Feet;  Good-Friday,  Eafter, 
the  Afcenfion,  and  Whitfunday,  the  Feaft  of  Pen- 
tecoft  was  before  ufed  of  the  Hebrews  :  For  fifty 
dayes  after  that  the  Lamb  was  facrificed  in  Egypt, 
the  Law  written  by  the  hands  of  God,  was  given 
by  Mqfes  in  the  Mount  Oreb,  in  the  wildernefs  of 
Sinai,  And  50  dayes  after  the  death  of  Chrift,  who 
like  a  Lamb  was  offered  of  the  Jews  for  our 
Pafchal,  the  Apoftles  received  the  law  of  the  Spi- 
rit. The  Feaft  of  tranffiguration  came  alfo  of  the 
Jews:  for  like  as  Mofes  his  face  was  tranfpofed  into 
a  perfed  brightnefs,  after  he  had  communed  with 
God  in  the  Mount;  fo  now  after  the  fhadow  and 
vail  were  taken  away  by  Chrift  his  coming,  it  pleafed 
God  to  fliew  to  his  difciples  his  transfiguration,  as 
a  declaration  of  the  ftiadow  paft,  and  a  figure  or 
fignification  of  the  Immortality  to  come.  In  con- 
fideration  whereof,  the  holy  fathers  perceiving  the 
ufe  of  fuch  holy-dayes,  confirmed  and  ratified  them 
by  a  Decree  made  in  the  Council  had  at  Lions  in 
France:  and  furthermore  commanded,  that  fuch 
dayes,  as  either  the  holy  Saints  departed  this  life, 
or  elfe  wrought  any  miracle,  or  did  any  notable 
deed  to  the  encreafe  of  our  Religion,  ftiould  be 
kept  holy,  becaufe  Chriftians  might  have  more 
opportunity  to  hear  the  Word  of  God,  and  more 
devoutly  ferve  him  in  an  uniform  order. 


184  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  6. 

Then  were  inftituted  the  Feafts  of  Saint  Stephen^ 
Innocents^  Sylvefter^  John,  Baptift,  the  Apoftles  dayes, 
Corverfion  of  Paul,  our  Lady-dayes.  Laurence, 
Michael,  Marline,  and  generally  of  All  Saints, 
which  was  the  conftitution  of  Bonifacius  the  fourth. 
For  he  caufed  that  the  Temple  which  Marcus  Agrip- 
pa  did  edifie  in  honour  of  all  the  Romans  Idols,  as 
the  name  Pantheon  doth  pretend,  was  by  the  licenfe 
of  Phocas,  then  Emperour,  turned  into  the  Church 
of  All-hallows,  and  confecrated  the  12th  day  of 
May ;  and  Gregory  the  fourth  afterward  willed  it  to 
be  kept  the  iirfl  day  of  November, 

The  Feafts  of  the  Invention  and  Exaltation  of 
the  Crofs,  and  Corpus  Chrifti  day,  were  dedicated 
by  Urban  the  fourth,  and  pronounced  for  holy- 
dayes.  Syhejler  at  the  fuit  and  inftance  of  the 
Emperour  Conftantine,  affigned  the  day  of  ad 
vincula  San5li  Petri,  called  commonly  Lammas,  in 
memorial  of  P^/^r'j  pains,  perfecution,  andpunifh- 
ment  that  he  fuffered  for  Religion.  Felix  the  firft, 
to  magnifie  the  glorious  commendation  of  Martyrs, 
made  a  Statute,  that  a  yearly  oblation  fhould  be 
had  in  memorial  of  them:  and  Gregory  would,  that 
Mafle  ihould  be  faid  over  their  bodies ;  which  thing, 
Vigilantius  thought  worthy  to  be  rejeded  and  re- 
fufed;  albeit  the  report  goeth,  that  Anacletus  was, 
of  this  conftitution,  the  firft  Authour.  The  fame 
Felix  inftituted  firft.  That  the  day  whereon  any 
Temple  was  dedicated,  ftiould  be  hallowed  of  that 
Village  or  Town;  and  made  alfo  a  law  that  fuch 
Churches  as  men  doubted  of,  whether  they  were 
confecrated  or  no,  fliould  be  hallowed  again.     And 


Lib.  6.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  185 

Felix  the  fourth  did  ordain,  That  Bifhops  onely 
fhould  dedicate  them,  and  that  the  fame  dedicated 
day  fhould  be  kept  holy  yearly  afterward. 

The  fafhion  to  deify  men  that  had  done  any 
benefits  to  the  Commonwealth,  is  one  of  the  moft 
ancient  ufages,  that  I  read  of.  For  antiquity  even 
from  the  beginning  was  accuftomed  to  make  gods 
of  their  Kings ;  which  either  by  abundance  of 
benefits,  or  notable  qualities,  and  prowefs,  had 
won  the  hearts  of  their  Commons.  And  fpecially 
the  Romans  did  that  with  great  pomp  and  many 
obfervances,  as  I  did  declare  before  in  the  third 
book  out  of  Herodian.  Of  them  our  Bifhops 
learned,  as  by  a  pattern,  their  rite  of  canonizing 
Saints:  by  the  yearly  facrifices,  that  Gregory  and 
Felix  appointed,  concerned  nothing  elfe  but  to  de- 
clare, that  thofe  Martyrs  were  Saints,  and  of  the 
houfhold  of  God.  Lafh  of  all,  Alexander  the  third 
ordained.  That  no  fuch  divine  folemnity  fhould 
be  given  to  any  man  openly,  without  he  were 
canonized,  and  admitted  to  be  a  Saint  by  the 
Bifhop  o^  Rome  his  Bull,  becaufe  no  man  fhould 
choofe  himfelf  any  private  Saint,  or  commit  any 
peculiar  Idolatry. 


24 


i86  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  6. 


CHAP.  VII. 

INSTITUTION    OF    YEARS,   DAYES,  OR    OBITES,   AND 
THE    MANNER    OF    MOURNING. 


F 


UNERAL  exequies  that  be  done  over  dead 
bodies,  were  the  inftitution  of  Pelagius,  Albeit, 
Ifidorus  afcribeth  the  original  of  it  to  the  Apoftles, 
and  he  himfelf  did  augment  the  Rites,  that  we  use 
in  this  time.  Ambrqfe  fuppofeth  that  it  proceeded 
of  the  cuftome  of  the  Hebrews^  which  lamented 
Jacob  fourty  dayes,  and  Mqfes  the  space  of 
thirty  dayes,  for  that  time  is  fufficient  for 
the  wife  to  weep  in.  It  was  alfo  the  ufage  of  an- 
tient  Romanes  to  mourn.  For  Numa  Pompilius 
afTigned  Oblations  to  the  infernal  gods  for  the 
dead,  and  did  inhibite  that  a  child  under  the  age 
of  three  years  fhould  be  bewailed,  and  that  the 
elder  fort  fhould  be  mourned  no  more  Moneths 
than  he  had  lived  years.  But  commonly  the 
longed  time  of  a  Widows  mourning  was  but  ten 
Months,  and  if  any  were  married  within  the  space 
again,  it  was  counted  a  great  reproach :  wherefore 
Numa  ordained  that  such  as  had  mourned  up  be- 
fore the  day  limited,  fhould  offer  a  Cow  that  was 


Lib.  6.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  187 

great  with  Calf  for  an  expiation.  Neverthelefle  if 
that  rite  were  ufed  now  a  dayes,  and  namely  in 
England,  we  ihould  have  fmall  ftore  of  Veals,  there 
be  fo  many  that  marry  within  the  time  prefcribed. 
Plutarch  writeth  that  the  Women  in  their  mourn- 
ing layed  a  part  all  Purple,  Gold,  and  fumptuous 
apparel,  and  were  cloathed  both  they  and  their 
Kinsfolk  in  white  apparel,  like  as  then  the  dead 
body  was  wrapped  in  white  cloths. 

The  white  colour  was  thought  iitteft  for  the 
dead,  because  it  is  clear,  pure  and  fincere,  and  leaft 
defiled,  and  when  the  time  of  their  weeping  was 
expired,  they  put  on  their  other  veftures.  Of  this 
Ceremony,  (as  I  take  it,)  the  French  Queens  took 
occafion,  after  the  death  of  their  Hufbands  the 
Kings  to  wear  onely  white  cloathing,  and  if  there 
be  any  fuch  Widdow,  fhe  is  commonly  called  the 
white  Queen.  The  Jews  ended  their  mourning 
after  thirty  days,  and  Englijhmen  keep  the  fame 
Rite.  Their  mourning  garments  for  the  mofl  part 
be  altogether  of  black  colour,  and  they  ufe  to  wear 
them  a  whole  year  continually  unlefle  it  be  becaufe 
of  a  generall  Triumph  or  rejoycing,  or  new  Magif 
trate  choofing,  or  elfe  when  they  be  towards  Mar- 
riage. But  the  cuftome  of  mourning  is  no  other 
thing  than  meer  fuperftition,  fpecially  if  women 
or  men  have  a  louring  look,  and  a  laughing  heart. 
For  all  fuch  lamentation  helpeth  nothing  the  dead 
Corps  or  Soul  of  the  deceafed,  and  difquieteth  fore 
the  living. 

The  manner  of  wafhing  dead  bodies  and  fpecially 
of  Noble  men,  and  anointing  them,  was  received 


1 88  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  6. 

of  our  Anceflry  which  ufed  to  wafh  the  bodies?  of 
the  dead,  and  it  was  the  office  of  them  that  were 
neareft  of  his  Kinred,  to  do  it. 

Soul-Majfe  day,  that  is  the  fecond  day  of  No- 
vember, was  begun  by  Odilo  that  was  Provoft  or 
Provincial!  of  the  Monks  of  Cluniacenfes  order, 
upon  the  occafion  that  he  heard  about  ^tna  the 
burning  mountain  of  Sicily  oftentimes  great  weep- 
ing, lamentation,  and  crying:  which  he  fupposed 
to  be  the  yelling  of  evill  fpirits,  that  bewailed  be- 
caufe  the  fouls  of  dead  men  were  taken  from  them 
by  the  petitions,  and  facrifices  of  well  difpofed 
Chriftians,  therefore  he  perfwaded  his  covent  in 
the  time  of  John  Bifhop  of  Rome,  to  make  a  gen- 
eral obite  of  all  Souls  the  day  next  after  the  Feaft 
of  all  Saints.  About  the  year  of  our  Lord  1002, 
our  fathers  received  it  as  a  godly  inftitution  full  of 
pitiful  charity  :  and  thus  by  procefTe  of  this  Monks 
fuppofition,  fprung  much  vain  fuperftition. 


CHAP.  VIIL 


OF  THE  SEVENTH   DAY,   THIRTIETH   DAY,   OLD 

MANNER    OF    BURIAL,     HALLOWING 

CHALICES,    PRIESTS   GARMENTS, 

WITH   OTHER  THINGS. 

JTxORATIUS  the  Poet,  and  Servius,  write, 
that  the  Romans  ufed  cuflomably  the  ninth  day 
after  the  burial,  to  renew  the  facrifices  and  folemn 


Lib  6.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  189 

rites  of  the  funeral,  which  they  named  in  Latine, 
Novem-diales :  of  this,  we  in  our  Religion  have 
gathered  the  fafhion  of  keeping  the  feventh  day 
with  Exfequies,  and  other  ordinary  oblations.  And 
in  England  the  cuftome  is  to  keep  the  30th  day  or 
moneth-end  with  like  Obites,  as  were  done  on  the 
burial  dayes.  Or  elfe  it  might  feem,  that  this 
keeping  of  the  feventh  day,  was  brought  up  after 
the  fame  fort  among  us ;  as  in  marriages  they  ufed 
in  old  time  to  renew  their  vows  the  yth  day.  For 
like  as  that  day  was  the  folemn  beginning  of  en- 
creafing  the  ifTue  of  mankind;  fo  the  fame  day  of 
burial  is  or  fhould  be  the  compleat  finifhing  and 
end  of  every  thing.  The  Maffilians  in  France 
palfed  and  fpent  the  dayes  of  their  burials,  with 
private  oblations,  and  feafting  of  their  kinsfolk, 
without  any  manner  of  lamentation  or  forrow, 
which  thing  the  Englifh-men  at  this  day  ufe  com- 
monly to  do.  In  burials  the  old  rite  was,  that  the 
dead  corpfe  was  born  before,  and  the  people  followed 
after,  as  one  fhould  fay.  We  fhall  dye,  and  follow 
after  him,  as  their  laft  words  to  the  Coarfe  did  pre- 
tend. For  they  ufed  to  fay,  when  it  was  buried, 
on  this  wife.  Farewell^  we  come  after  thee:  and  of  the 
following  of  the  multitude,  they  were  called  Ex- 
Jequies.  Albeit  they  ufed  at  Kings,  and  Noblemens 
Funerals,  to  go  before  with  Tapers  ;  which  cuftome 
we  keep  ftill. 

Chalices,  wherein  the  blood  of  Chrift  is  confe- 
crated,  were  at  the  firft  of  wood,  and  that  was  the 
inftitution  of  the  Apoftles,  which  would  prevent 
all  occafton  of  avarice  in  Priefts;  but    Zepherinus 


I90  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  6. 

afterward  commanded  that  they  fhould  confecrate 
in  a  veflel  of  glafs.  Notwithftanding  in  procefs, 
that  cuftome  was  broken.  And  Gratianus  decreed, 
that  they  fhould  fay  Mafle,  confecrate  with  Chalices 
of  filver  or  gold  ;  or  elfe  if  thofe  might  not  be 
gotten,  in  Chalices  of  Tinne;  albeit  fome  refer  this 
to  Urban  the  Firft.  Sextus  the  Firft  commanded, 
that  corporaces  fhould  be  of  Linnen  cloath  onely, 
and  that  of  the  fineft,  and  pureft:  and  he  forbade, 
that  any  Lay- man  fhould  handle  the  hallowed 
vefTels,  and  namely  women  were  inhibited.  The 
hallowing  of  Priefls  veftures,  and  altar  cloaths,  with 
other  ornaments  of  the  Church,  and  the  diverfity 
of  veftures  of  fundry  orders  was  taken  out  of  the 
Hebrews  Priefthood,  and  ufed  in  our  Church  firft 
by  Stephen  Bifhop  of  Rome,  firft  of  that  name. 
For  at  the  beginning,  Priefts  in  their  Mafting  ufed 
rather  inward  vertues  of  foul,  then  outward  appar- 
rel  of  the  body,  which  is  rather  a  glorious  fhew, 
then  any  godly  edifying.  Sabinianus  decreed  firft, 
that  the  people  fhould  be  aflembled  together  to 
hear  fervice  at  certain  hours  of  the  day,  by  ringing 
of  bells :  And  John  the  22  ordained.  That  bells 
fhould  be  tolled  every  day  three  times  in  the  even- 
ing, and  that  then  every  man  fhould  fay  three  times 
the  Ave-Maria. 

The  ufe  of  Bells  came  firft  of  the  Hebrews, 
where  the  high  Prieft  or  Bifhop  had  in  the  skirts 
of  his  uppermoft  veftures  little  bells  to  ring,  when 
he  was  in  the  holy  place  within  the  vail.  And  even 
the  Vail,  Hangings,  Candlefticks,  with  other  Veftels 
that  we    ufe    in    the    Church,    came  alfo    of  their 


Lib:  6.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  i^t 

Ceremonies.  The  banners  that  be  hanged  abroad 
in  Eafter  time,  are  ufed  to  declare  the  triumph  of 
Chrift  over  death,  the  devill,  and  hell,  and  were 
taken  of  the  Heathen,  which  in  their  Victories  did 
bear  banners  to  declare  and  fignifie  the  conqueft  of 
their  enemies. 


CHAP.  IX. 


OF  VOWES,   GOING  BARE-FOOT,  LETANIES,    PRAYING 

FOR  THEM  THAT   SNEESE,  CROSSING  THE   MOUTH 

WHEN   MEN  YAWN. 


W 


HEN  we  be  brought  into  any  extream 
calamity,  or  dangerous  adventure,  that  can  by  no 
mans  power  or  provifion  be  relieved,  the  urgent 
neceffity  conftrainingus,  we  fall  to  prayers,  and  vows- 
making,  as  when  we  promife  to  fet  up  Candles,  Images 
of  wax,  or  filver,  with  other  like,  fuppofing  thereby 
to  obtain  remedy  of  our  grief.  This  cuftome 
was  borrowed  of  the  Hebrews,  which  ufed  to  make 
fuch  vowes  to  God,  and  divers  other  Countries  of 
the  Gentiles  ufed  that  rite  to  their  falfe  gods.  In 
like  manner,  going  bare-foot  was  taken  up  of  the 
Jews  fafhion:  which  in  their  ficknefs  and  other 
misfortunes  were  wont  to  pray  continually  30  dayes, 
forbear  wine,  fhave  their  hair,  and  after  go  bare- 
foot to  the  Temple,  and    make    oblation.     This 


192  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  6. 

manner  of  Vow  was  fo  earneftly  ufed  in  the  time 
of  the  Emperour  Nero  (when  Florus  was  Prefident 
of  Jewry)  that  Bernice,  fifter  to  King  Agrippa, 
went  her  felf  bare-foot  to  the  Temple  of  Hierufa- 
lem,  to  obtain  fome  gentlenefle  for  her  Countrey- 
men  at  Florus  his  hands;  but  all  in  vain,  for  his 
avarice  was  fo  unfatiable,  that  no  lowlinefs  could 
pacifie  it.  Even  fo  we  in  any  of  our  afflidions, 
ficknefs,  or  other  heavinefs  make  vowes  to  God 
and  his  Saints,  and  perform  them,  going  to  the 
place  bare-foot  in  like  manner  as  the  Jews  did. 
Supplications  were  ordained  in  a  great  Earthquake 
by  Mamercus^  Bifhop  of  Vienna,  in  the  time  of 
Leo  the  Firft.  Thefe  be  called  of  the  Greek  word, 
Letanies;  and  are  commonly  named  Proceffions, 
becaufe  the  people  proceed  forth  along  in  array,  two 
and  two  together,  and  go  from  place  to  place  pray- 
ing loud.  They  be  called  the  lefs  Letanies.  And 
Agapetus,  as  it  is  reported,  firft  appointed  them  to 
be  fung  every  Sunday  in  or  about  the  Church; 
although  it  feems  by  Tertullian  s  words,  that  they 
have  been  ufed  from  the  beginning  of  the  Church; 
and  therefore  it  may  be  fuppofed,  that  Mamercus 
did  onely  renew  the  cuftome.  Afterward  Gregory 
ordained  the  great  Letanies,  called  Jeptiformis 
Letania  the  fame  time  that  much  people  in  Rome 
perifhed  through  a  great  Plague  of  fwelling  of  the 
privy  members,  which  came  of  a  corrupt  ayr,  that 
was  poyfoned  with  Adders  and.  Snakes,  that  were 
caft  out  of  Tyber  at  a  marvellous  high  Tide. 

There  was  another    Plague,    whereby    many  as 
they  fneefed  dyed    fuddenly;    whereof  it  grew    a 


Lib.  6.  '   POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  193 

cuftome,  that  they  that  were  prefent  when  any  man 
fneefed,  fhould  fay,  God  help  you. 

A  like  deadly  Plague  was  fometime  in  yawning; 
wherefore  men  ufed  to  fence  themfelves  with  the 
fign  of  the  Crofs:  both  which  cuftomes  we  retain 
ftill  at  this  day.  In  all  other  extern  affairs  that  we 
go  about,  we  ufe  to  fign  our  felves  with  the  token 
of  the  Crofle.  And  this  hath  been  the  ufage  from 
the  begining  of  the  Church. 


CHAP.  X. 

OF    IMAGES,    TYTHES;     AND  WHO    PERMITTED  THE 
CLERGY  TO   HAVE    POSSESSIONS. 


A' 


T  the  firft  there  was  no  Imagery  nor  Pictures 
in  the  Churches,  but  all  occafions  of  Idolatry  were 
withdrawn  according  to  the  commandment  of  the 
old  Law.  Notwithftanding,  it  crept  in  among 
Chriftians  by  little  and  little,  and  men  made  Images 
of  Chrift  on  the  Crofle,  after  the  example  of  Mofes 
which  fet  up  brazen  Serpent,  and  Abagarus  Duke 
oi  Edijfenians,  a  Nation  beyond  the  "Ray tr  Euphrates y 
fent  a  Painter  to  draw  the  Image  of  our  Saviour 
Jefus  :  but  for  as  much  as  he  could  not  behold  the 
brightnefs  of  his  face,  Chrift  laid  a  napkin  on  his 
face,  wherein  he  by  his  divine  power  printed  the 
refemblance  of  his  vifage,  and  fent  it  by  the  Painter 
to  the  Duke.     A  little  napkin  was  given  by  him 

25 


194  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  6. 

(as  it  is  faid)  to  a  woman,  that  had  the  bloody  flux, 
whofe  name,  new  Writers  fay,  was  Veronica ;  and 
Luke  the  Evangelift  had  the  Image  o^  Mary  the 
Virgin  in  a  Table  painted.  And  in  the  Sixth 
Council  held  at  Conjiantinople  by  the  command- 
ment of  Conjiantine,  and  Jujiinian  the  fecond  his 
Ton,  it  was  decreed.  That  Images  fhould  be  re- 
ceived into  the  Churches,  and  worfhipped  with 
great  reverence,  as  a  thing  whereby  the  Laity  might 
be  inftruded,  as  inftead  of  Scripture,  and  that 
Incenfe  might  be  burned,  and  Tapers  lighted  be- 
fore them.  This  was  about  the  year  of  our  Lord 
630;  or  as  fome  take  it,  about  the  703  year  of  our 
Lord,  when  Agatus  was  Bifhop  of  Rome.  After- 
ward Conftantine^  Bifhop  there,  confirmed  that 
Decree,  and  caufed  Images  in  the  Church  of  Saint 
Peter,  and  pronounced  Philip  the  Emperour  an 
Heretick,  becaufe  be  had  f haven  and  fcraped  away 
the  Imagery  that  was  in  6*.  Sophie's  Temple.  Not 
long  after,  they  were  ratified  and  eftablifhed  in  the 
Council  of  Nice^  where  were  aflembled  by  the 
procurement  of  Eirene,  Mother  of  Conftantine  the 
6th,  350  Bifhops. 

The  great  Prophet  of  God,  Mofes,  and  his 
Succeflbur  Jo/hua,  divided  the  Land  of  Canaan* 
among  the  Ifraelities,  afligning  no  part  thereof  to 
the  Tribe  of  Levi,  becaufe  they  were  the  Lord's 
portion,  faving  that  he  gave  them  habitations  in 
every  Tribe,  and  a  little  pafture  for  their  Neat, 
Sheep,  and  other  Cattle.  Therefore,  becaufe  they 
miniftred  in  the  Tabernacle  of  the  Lord,  and 
executed  fuch  ceremonies,  as  appertained  to  their 


Lib.  6.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  195 

Religion,  he  appointed  for  them  the  firft-fruits  and 
tenths  to  live  on.  And  after  this  fort  began  the 
paying  of  Tythes,  by  the  Inftitution  oi Mojes. 

And  Origen  on  the  book  of  Numbers  affirmeth, 
that  this  commandement  is  to  be  obferved  of  us 
after  the  letter,  without  any  allegory  or  myftical 
interpretation.  And  it  appeareth  by  Chrift's 
words,  that  he  alloweth  the  literal  fenfe  of  the  old 
Law,  where  he  faith  in  the  Gofpel,  IVo  be  unto  you 
Scribes  and  Pharifees,  ye  that  tythe  Mint  and  Rue, 
and  all  manner  of  herbs,  and  pajfe  over  judgment  and 
the  Law  of  God,  thefe  ought  to  have  been  done,  and 
not  to  leave  the  other  undone :  where  you  may  perceive 
how  that  as  he  commandeth  one,  fo  he  would  not 
have  the  other  omitted,  that  he  fignified  there 
litterally.  Eutychianus  (becaufe  in  the  Old 
Teftament,  the  firft  fruits  were  offered  to  the  Lord) 
ordained,  that  Corn  fhould  be  confecrated  on  the 
Altar:  as  Oyl  and  Incenfe  was  burned  in  the  He- 
brews Synagogue,  and  that  Decree  remaineth  ftill  In 
effed  in  fome  places.  But  the  Priefts  vertue  is  fo 
old,  and  mens  devotion  waxeth  fo  cold,  that  in- 
ftead  of  the  firft-fruits,  now  adayes  the  people  ufe 
to  bring,  on  the  Sundayes,  a  few  loaves  of  bread  ; 
in  fome  places  two  or  three,  as  they  be  difpofed, 
and  thofe  the  Prieft  confecrateth  and  parteth  by 
pieces  among  the  people  ;  that  whereas  in  time  paft, 
they  ufed  to  receive  the  Sacrament  on  thofe  dayes, 
now  they  eat  this  bread  hallowed  in  memorial  of  it. 
And  this  they  do  after  the  pattern  of  Chrift,  which 
was  ever  wont  to  hallow  bread,  before  he  cither  eat 
it,  or  gave  it  to  his  Difciples. 


196 


POLIDORE  VIRGIL. 


Lib.  6. 


Other  Nations  alfo  ufed  to  offer  their  firft-fruits 
and  Tythes,  as  the  Romans  offered  to  Hercules^  and 
Bacchus  to  Jupiter ;  Mars  gave  to  Jupiter  the  tenth 
of  his  prey  of  Lydia.  Urbanus^  a  man  of  godly 
living,  and  fingular  learning,  about  the  year  of  our 
Lord  222  decreed,  That  it  was  lawful  for  Priefls 
to  receive  fuch  Rents  or  Lands,  as  were  given 
them  ;  albeit  there  was  nothing  private  to  any  man, 
but  common  to  all.  And  thus  by  little  and  little, 
the  fpirituall  poffeffions  were  enlarged,  and  Bifhops 
of  Rome  were  greatly  enriched.  Lucina  an  holy 
Maid  of  Rome,  made  Marcellus  Bishop  there,  her 
Heir  and  Executor  ;  and  afterward  Conftantine  did 
largely  endow  the  fame  Bifhop. 


THE    END    OF    THE    SIXTH    BOOK. 


Polidore  Virgil. 

The  Seventh  BOOK. 


CHAP.    I. 


THE  BEGINNING  OF  THE  SOLITARY  LIFE  OF 
RELIGIOUS    PERSONS. 

T 

X  HE  matter  hath  been  long  in  controverfy, 
who  firft  began  to  inhabite  Wildernefles,  for  fome 
(as  Saint  Jerome  witnesseth)  that  have  ransacked 
the  uttermoft,  fay  that  Helias  and  John  Baptift^  were 
Authors  of  the  life  folitary  :  but  as  the  one  was 
more  than  a  Prophet,  fo  the  other  was  above  the 
ftate  and  condition  of  Monks.  Some  affign  the 
original  of  it  to  Anthony^  others  refer  it  to  one  Paul 
a  Thehane  furnamed  Heremite,  But  (forafmuch  as 
every  man  may  fpeak  his  fancy  in  a  thing  doubtful) 
I  think  the  infcitution  of  this  Monaftical  life  to 
have  proceeded  of  the  EfTees,  a  Religious  brother- 
hood among  the  Hebrews^  that  lived  after  a  greater 
perfedion,  then  Monks  did   in  their  Superftitious 


198  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  7. 

and  Fantaftlcal  Traditions,  as  appeareth  by  the 
Eighth  book  of  Eusebius,  De  preparatione  Evan- 
gelica. 

Of  their  proceedings  Anthony^  and  "Paul  the 
Thehane^  took  example  of  ordering  the  Rules  and 
Precepts  of  their  Religious  Schollers.  Albeit,  it 
is  right  to  afcribe  the  original  of  it  to  Anthony^ 
which  although  he  were  not  the  firft,  yet  he  did 
much  incourage  the  indeavours  of  all  other,  to 
lead  that  life,  and  Authorifed  the  Difcipline  of 
Monks  in  /Egypt^  and  aftQrwa.vd  Bafilius  in  Greece, 
and  Hilarion  in  Syria,  did  much  augment  and  am- 
plify that  purpose.  For  this  Hilarion  a  man  of 
great  vertue,  by  calling  on  the  name  of  Jefus, 
healed  at  the  City  of  Gaza,  the  fons  of  a  Noble 
Woman  :  whereupon  the  brute  of  him  was  fo  noif- 
ed,  that  many  out  of  Syria  and  Mgypt,  repaired 
unto  him,  and  he  founded  Abbeys  in  Palejiine,  and 
inftructed  them  with  rules  of  living.  As  for  An- 
thony he  lived  in  the  Wildernefle  of  Thebais  in 
Egypt,  and  builded  there  an  Abbey,  where  he  him- 
felf,  with  Sarmatas,  Amatas,  and  Macarius  his  Dif- 
ciples,  lived  in  fo  earnefl  contemplation  and  Prayer, 
that  they  lived  onely  with  bread  and  water,  his 
holinefTe  was  fuch  that  Helena,  mother  oiConftantine 
did  commend  her  felf  and  her  fon,  to  his  Prayers. 
He  died  in  the  WildernefTe  when  he  was  an  hundred 
years  old,  the  year  of  our  Salvation  341,  his  Dif- 
ciples  Amatas  and  Macarius  increafed  much  the 
Religion  after  his  death,  and  Sarmatus^^iS  {lain  by 
the  Saracens,  The  inftitution  of  this  ftate  of  living 
came,  I   grant,  of  a  good  zeal  to  godlinefTe,  but 


Lib.  7.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  199 

the  Devil,  perverter  of  all  good  things,  did  fo  im- 
poyfon  the  hearts  of  men,  that  they  had  more  truft 
in  their  works,  then  Faith  in  Chrifts  bloud,  and 
then  every  man  began  new  rules  of  works  to  be 
their  own  Saviours,  which  was  abominable  in  the 
fight  of  God. 


CHAP.  II. 


THE   DIVISION   OF  MONASTICAL    LIFE    INTO    SUNDRY 
SECTS  AND    FACTIONS 


I 


N  the  year  166,  after  the  death  o^  Anthony,  Ben- 
net  an  Italian,  born  at  Narji  in  Umbria,  when  he 
had  lived  long  in  folitarinefle,  reforted  to  a  City  of 
Italy,  named  Sabblaque,  a  City  of  the  Latines,  fourty 
miles  from  Rome.  And  becaufe  he  was  greatly 
delighted  with  a  folitary  life,  and  alfo  the  people 
prelled  to  fee  and  hear  his  preachings,  he  departed 
thence  to  Cajfine.  And  in  the  time  of  John  the 
firft,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  524,  he  builded  there 
an  Abbey,  and  aflembled  the  Monks,  that  were  dif- 
perfed  alone  in  divers  places,  into  one  covent,  and 
ordered  them  with  inftrudions  of  manner  and  rules 
of  living,  confirmed  with  three  vows,  that  is,  chaf- 
tity,  willful!  poverty,  and  obedience,  becaufe  they 
fhould  all  together  mortify  their  own  will  and  lufts. 
Thefe  three  forenamed  Vows,  Baftlius,  Bifhop  of 
Cajaria  did  firfl  inftitute  and  publifh,  in  the  year 


200  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  7. 

of  our  Lord,  383.  And  alfo  afTign  the  year  of  pro- 
bation or  Trial,  that  Religious  perfons  had  before 
they  were  profefTed. 

The  order  of  CluniacenfeSy  were  ordained  by  one 
Odon  an  Abbot  ?it  Majlicenfe,  a  Village  of  Burgundy. 
And  William  DukQ  of  A  qui  ^anega.vQ  them  an  Houfe, 
the  year  of  our  Lord  916,  in  the  time  of  Sergius 
the  third.  Not  long  after,  the  Religion  of  Gamal- 
dimenfes  was  begun  by  Romoaldus  of  Ravenna^  in  the 
Mount  Apenninus^  the  year  of  our  Lord  850.  They 
kept  perpetual  filence,  every  Wednefday,  and  Friday 
they  faft,  they  eat  bread  and  water,  they  go  bare-foot, 
and  lye  on  the  ground.  In  a  part  of  the  fame 
Mountain  called  Vallis  Umbrqfay  or  the  fhadowed 
Valley,  in  the  year  of  Chrifts  incarnation  1040, 
under  Gregory  the  fixth,  John  Gualbert  began  a  new 
fe(5l  of  Monks,  and  named  them  of  the  place  where 
the  Abbey  flood,  the  Shadow ed-V alley  Order. 

The  Monks  of  Olivet  fprung  up  as  a  fruit  of 
diforder,  the  fame  year  that  the  variance  was  among 
the  three  Bifhops,  and  were  inftituted  by  Barnardus 
Piolomeus,  the  year  of  Christ  1407,  under  Gregory 
the  1 2th.  The  Fadion  of  Grandimonienjers,  began 
by  Steven  of  Avern^  in  Aquitane  or  Guyen,  the  year 
of  our  Lord  1076,  under  Alexander  the  fecond,  and 
had  their  Title  of  the  Mountain  where  their  Abbey 
flood.  A  little  after  the  fame  time,  Robert  Abbot 
of  Molijme^  in  Cifterftum  a  Forrefl  in  Burgundy^  did 
inflitute  the  order  of  Cijiercians;  albeit  fome  afcribe 
this  to  one  Ordingus  a  Monk,  that  perfwaded  Robert 
to  the  fame,  about  the  year  of  our  Lord  1098, 
under  Urbane  the  fecond;  Of  this  Religion  was 
that  great  Clerk  St.  Bernard. 


Lib.  7.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  201 

Almoft  an  hundred  years  after  this  in  the  year 
of  our  Lord  11 66.  The  order  of  Humiliates  was 
devifed  by  certain  persons,  exiled  by  Fredericus  Bar- 
baruffa,  which  when  they  were  reftored  to  their  Coun- 
trey,  apparelled  themfelves  in  white,  and  lived  by  a 
kind  of  VoWj  in  Prayers,  Penury,  and  working 
wool,  and  were  admitted  by  Innocentius  the  third, 
and  other  his  fucceflburs. 

Celejiines  were  founded  by  Celejlinus  the  fifth  of 
that  name,  Bifhop  oi  Rome,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord, 
1 198.  In  England  Sdint  Gilbert  at  Tiring t on y  and 
Sempringham,  began  an  order  called  after  him  Gil- 
ber tines,  in  the  time  of  Eugenius  the  fourth,  the  year 
of  Chrifts  Incarnation  1148. 

The  Jujiinians  were  invented  by  Lewis  Barbus,  a 
Religious  man  of  Venice,  in  the  Abbey  of  Saint 
Juftine  at  Padua,  the  year  of  our  Salvation  141 2,  in 
the  dayes  of  John  the  24th.  There  were  alfo 
Orders  of  Nuns  devifed  after  the  same  Rules  of 
Superftition,  as  the  other  be. 


26 


CHAP.    III. 

OF  THE    HIERONYMIANS,   CANONS,    CHARTER- 
HOUSE-MONKS,  WHITE-FRYERS,   CROUCH- 
FRIERS,   WITH    OTHERS. 


H 


lERONYMIANS  had  their  beginning  of 
Saint  Hierome;  which  leaving  his  Native  Country, 
went  into  Jewry ^  and  there  not  far  from  Bethlehem^ 
builded  him  an  houfe,  where  he  lived  very  devoute- 
ly,  the  latter  end  of  his  life,  in  the  time  of  Inno- 
centius  the  feventh,  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1405. 
After  his  example,  other  counterfeited  a  refem- 
blance  of  perfection,  naming  themfelves  Hierony- 
mians,  wearing  their  clothes  of  white,  and  a  cope 
plaited  above  over  their  Coat,  girt  with  a  lether 
girdle. 

There  were  alfo  certain  Hermites  called  Hierony- 
mianSy  of  the  Foundation  of  one  Charls  Granel  of 
Florence y  which  made  himfelf  an  Hermite  of  the 
fame  Religion,  in  the  Mountains  of  Fejfulus, 
Others  there  be,  that  fay  one  Redo^  Earl  of  Mount 
Granely  did  inftitute  them  in  Fejulus,  in  the  time 


Lib.  7.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  203 

of  Gregory  the  twelfth.  Yet  there  be  fome  that 
fay,  that  the  original  of  this  brother-hood,  was  in- 
ftituted  of  Hierome  in  a  Defart,  and  that  Eufebius 
of  Cremona,  with  other  devout  and  holy  men, 
which  kept  converfation  with  him,  did  enlarge  and 
augment  the  family  of  that  profeflion. 

As  concerning  the  Channons  Reguler,  there  be 
two  opinions:  for  fome  fay  that  y^^^/^7?/;/^  by  and 
by,  after  he  was  created  Bifhop,  brought  his  Chan- 
nons in  this  rule  and  form  of  living,  wherein  they 
have  been  fo  long  trained  and  nulled  up:  other 
fome  brag,  and  make  their  vaunt,  that  it  was  de- 
vifed  of  the  Apoftles,  and  of  this  opinion  was 
Thomas  Aquinas:  ^mV  Auguftine  was  doubtleffe, 
either  the  inventour  of  the  Sed,  or  renewer  of 
it,  and  therefore  may  bejuftly  taken  for  an  Author 
of  that  Fadion,  and  fo  was  he  likewife  of  Auguftine 
Hermites. 

The  Channons  cloathingwas  a  white  Coat,  and  a 
linnen  rochet  under  a  black  cope,  with  a  Scapular 
to  cover  their  head  and  fhoulders :  The  Hermites 
have  a  contrary  vefture,  a  black  coat  with  a  fcapular, 
and  another  coat  of  white,  and  a  Lether  Girdle. 
Of  thefe  there  were  divers  other  orders.  As  the 
order  of  St.  Saviour  of  the  Scopettines,  which  were 
ordained  by  Steven  and  James,  two  men  of  Scenes, 
in  the  time  of  Urbane  the  fifth,  the  year  of  Chrift, 
1370.  And  Gregory  t\it  nth,  by  his  confent,  con- 
firmed them  in  their  Hypocrify. 

The  Frifonaries  is  another  Order,  which  began 
among  the  Hetrurians,  in  the  County  of  Luces, 
that  be  otherwife  called  Lateranenjes,  by  the  device 


204  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  7. 

of  James  Brixian,  in  the  time  of  John  the  24th,  the 
year  of  Chrift  141 2,  and  they  were  amplified  and 
increafed  by  Eugenius  the  4th. 

The  third  Order  is  titled  the  brethren  of  St. 
Gregory  de  Alga,  This  was  ordained  at  Venice  by 
Laurence  Juftinian^  in  the  time  of  Innocentius  the 
feventh,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1407,  with  divers 
other  Orders;  which  forafmuch  as  they  rofe  fud- 
denly,  I  will  omit. 

Bruno  of  Collen^  that  fometime  read  the  Philof- 
ophy  Lefture  at  Paris,  did  inftitute  the  Charter- 
houfe  Monks,  in  the  DiocefTe  of  Gracionopolis,  at 
a  place  named  Carthufia,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
one  thousand  and  eighty,  under  Gregory  the  feventh. 
Their  life  was  outwardly  full  of  painted  holinefle,  in 
forbearing  Flefh,  Fafting,  bread  and  water  every 
Friday,  full  of  folitarineffe,  much  filence,  ever  pin- 
ned in,  and  women  were  banifhed  out  of  the  houfe, 
with  other  femblable  Ceremonies. 

The  Carmelites  or  white  Friers,  were  as  fome  fay, 
begun  in  Mount  Carmelus,  after  the  example  of 
Elias  the  Prophet,  which  lived  there  long  folitary, 
that  they  were  firft  aflembled  together  by  Almericus 
Bifhop  of  Antioch,  the  year  of  our  Lord,  one  thou- 
fand  one  hundred  and  seventy,  in  the  time  oi  Alex- 
ander the  third,  and  they  were  alfo  called  our  Lady 
Friers,  of  a  Chappel  of  our  Lady,  that  was  in 
the  Hill  Carmelus,  Neverthelefle  about  four 
hundred  years  after,  in  the  time  of  Innocentius 
the  third,  they  were  reformed  by  Alhertus  Bifhop 
of  Hierujalem,  according  to  the  rule  of  Bafilius 
and   the   colour  of   their   coat  was    turned    into 


Lib.  7.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  205 

white  by  Honorius  the  third,  where  before  it  was 
RufTet. 

The  other  of  Premonftratenfes  was  inftituted  in 
the  Diocefle  of  Laudune,  by  Northbergus  a  Prieft: 
and  the  Precepts  of  that  covent,  were  gathered  out 
of  St.  Auguftines  rules,  and  admitted  for  good  by 
Calixtus  the  fecond,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1 1 20. 

The  Crouch,  by  CrofTe  Friers  began  about  the 
year  of  our  Lord,  121 5,  by  the  device  of  Syracus 
Bifhop  of  Jerufalem,  which  fhewed  Helen  mother 
of  Conjiantine,  where  the  CrofTe  lay  hid,  and  in 
memorial  of  the  Crofs,  he  caufed  this  brotherhood 
and  CoUedge  of  Friers  to  bear  the  Crofs ;  and  yet 
they  never  knew  what  the  Crofs  weighed  in  their 
bodies  or  in  their  hearts,  and  forafmuch  as  they 
were  fore  wafted,  Innocentius  the  third  renewed  the 
Religion. 


CHAP.  IV. 


BLACK  AND  GREY-FRYERS,  THE  TRINITY-ORDER, 

BRIGIDIANS,  JESUITS,  NEW  HERMITES, 

AND  BONHOMES. 


A 


BOUT  the  time  of  Innocentius  the  third, 
arofe  two  famous  founders,  of  two  fuperftitious 
Seds,  I  mean  Dominick  the  Spaniard,  and   Francis 


2o6  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  7. 

the  Italian,  of  the  Country  of  Umbria.  Dominicky 
at  the  firft  was  a  Canon;  but  becaufe  he  could  not 
fuffer  to  have  a  fuperiour,  and  was  alfo  weary  of 
the  Cloyfter,  he  invented  a  new  fraternity,  named 
Dominicans,  Black-Fryers,  or  Fryers-Preachers,  be- 
caufe they  had  the  charge  to  preach  the  Gofpel, 
without  mixture  of  any  Pharifaical  leven.  The 
new  guife  of  their  Vefture,  made  innocent  Innocen- 
tius  to  wonder. 

But  Honorius  the  third  by  his  Bull  honourably 
admitted  them,  the  year  of  our  Lord  1220;  and 
Gregory  the  9th  put  the  matter  all  out  of  doubt, 
canonized  Dominick,  and  by  his  Bull  under  Lead, 
allowed  him  for  a  Saint. 

Frances,  that  was  firft  of  the  Friers  Augujiines, 
thinking  that  fecfl  not  to  be  fufficiently  furnifhed 
with  Hypocrifie,  began  a  new  trade  of  living,  in 
the  Mount  Appenninus^  in  a  place  named  commonly 
Laverna;  doubtlefs  a  ground  worthy  for  fuch  a 
foundation,  as  was  befide  the  Word  of  God;  it 
was  fet  up  in  the  time  of  Honorius  aforefaid.  They 
were  named  Minorihes,  of  the  humility,  and  low- 
linefs  of  heart,  that  they  fhould  have;  but  that  was 
fmally  regarded,  and  fartheft  from  their  ftudy. 
Two  years  after  the  year  of  our  Lord  God,  1229, 
Francis  was  fandified  by  Gregory,  and  made  a  Saint. 
Francijcans  afterward  fell  at  contention  for  the  rules 
of  their  profefTion.  They  that  failed  fomewhat  of 
the  unperfed  perfection  of  them,  retained  the 
name  of  Minorites  ftill ;  the  other  entituled 
themfelves  Objervants,  more  worthy  to  be  called 
Obftinate. 


Lib.  7.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  207 

The  latter  fellows  were  brought  into  England  by- 
King  Edward  the  4th,  and  were  greatly  inhanced 
by  the  famous  Prince,  King  Henry  the  7th. 

At  the  fame  time  was  Clara  the  Virgin,  Countrey- 
woman  to  Saint  Francis^  which  was  a  great  Found- 
refs  of  Nuns,  of  the  fame  Rule  that  Francis  gave 
his  Covent :  of  them  fprung  the  baftard  Penitencers 
in  the  dayes  of  John  the  22,  and  the  year  of  our 
Lord  13 1 5. 

The  Order  of  the  Trinity  under  Innocentius^  was 
begun  by  John  Matta^^indFelix Anachorita  in  France 
in  the  County  of  Meldine.  Then  alfo  was  founded, 
or  elfe  not  long  after,  in  the  time  of  Martin  the 
fourth,  the  Religion  of  Virgins  or  Servants,  by  one 
Philip  of  Florencia,  a  Phyfitian ;  and  Benedict  the 
nth,  confirmed  it,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  385. 

The  Order  of  Brigidians,  was  inftituted  by  Brigi- 
dia  a  Widow,  that  was  Princefs  of  Sueta  under 
Url^an  the  5th,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1370,  it 
was  as  well  of  men  as  women,  albeit  they  dwelt 
feverally  by  themfelves. 

The  Family  of  Jefuits,  was  the  Invention  of  Jo- 
hannes Columbinus^  in  the  City  of  Senes^  in  the  time 
of  the  fame  Urban^  the  year  of  our  Lord  1368; 
they  were  no  Priefts,  nor  confecrated  perfons,  but 
were  men  of  the  lay  fort,  given  and  addided  to 
prayer,  and  had  the  name  of  Jefuits,  becaufe  that 
name  of  Jefus,  fhould  be  often  in  their  mouth; 
they  be  much  like  to  our  Beads-men  in  England. 

The  Sed  of  new  Hermites  began  in  Urbin,  a 
City  in  Italy,  in  the  Countrey  of  Umbria,  where 
Polidore  Virgil  was  born  ;  and  was  the  device  of  one 


2o8  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  7. 

Petrus  an  Hetrurian,  and  they  had  in  the  fame  City 
a  goodly  Hofpitall  or  Guild-HalL 

The  Bonhomes  were  inftituted  in  England  by  Ed- 
mund fon  of  Richard  Earl  of  Cornwall,  which  was 
brother  to  Henry  the  third,  and  was  eledted  King  of 
the  Romans,  and  heir  apparent  to  the  Empire,  by 
the  principal  Electors  about  the  year  of  our  Lord 
1257.  The  fpeciall  head  place  of  that  Religion  was 
AJirige,  where  the  noble  King  Henry  the  eighth 
hath  now  a  goodly  Palace.  This  Edmund  brought 
the  blood  of  our  Saviour,  as  it  was  faid,  into  the 
Realm. 


CHAP.    V. 


THE    ORIGINAL    OF     SACRED     KNIGHTS,    AND    WHITE 

SECT. 


W 


HILST  the  City  of  Jerufalem,  before  our 
Chriftian  men  had  conquered  it,  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord,  1099,  was  in  fubje^lion  to  the  Saracens,  the 
Latine  Chriftians,  that  lived  there  tributaries, 
purchased:  a  licence  to  build  near  unto  the  Holy 
Sepulchre  dwelling  houfes,  and  among  other  they 
made  an  Hofpital  of  our  Lady  to  receive  the 
ftrange  Pilgrims,  and  appointed  a  Provoft  to  enter- 
tain them. 

This  was  in    Silvejter  the  firft  his  time,  the  year 
of  our  Lord  three  hundred  twenty  and  four ;    and 


Lib.  7.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  209 

renewed,  the  year  of  Chrift  one  thoufand  three 
hundred  ninety  and  feven,  in  the  time  of  Celeftine 
the  third,  Bifhop  of  Rome, 

After  the  pattern  of  this  houfe,  was  devifed  a 
like  houfe  of  Virgins  in  memorial  of  Mary  Mag- 
dalen^ to  receive  the  Women  that  reforted  thither. 
It  began  in  the  2d  Urbanes  dayes,  the  year  of  our 
Lord  1099.  Notwithftanding  becaufe  the  multi- 
tude of  Latine  Pilgrimes  waxed  very  great,  they 
builded  three  Hofpitals  of  Saint  John  Baptift^  as 
fome  fay;  Albeit,  fome  think  it  was  of  John 
Eleemoftnarius,  that  was  the  Patriarch  of  Alexandria, 
in  the  reign  of  the  Emperour  Phocas.  This  Se6t 
one  Geradus  adorned  with  a  white  Crofs  in  a  black 
vefture  :  grand  Captain  of  thefe  Knights  was 
RamunduSj  when  Clement  the  fifth  had  the  See  of 
Rome,  about  the  year  of  our  Lord  13 10,  yet  fome 
affirm  that  the  beginning  of  them  was  in  the  3d 
Alexanders  dayes,  the  year  of  Chrift  one  thoufand  one 
hundred  feventy  and  nine:  and  they  be  called  of  the 
order  o^SdXnt  John,  or  Knights  of  the  Rhodes,  becaufe 
they  won  the  Rhodes  from  the  Ttirks^  which  after- 
wards they  loft  again  in  January,  in  the  year  of 
our  Salvation,  one  thousand  five  hundred  twenty 
three,  albeit,  they  did  long  defend  it  manfully. 

The  Temples  order  was  begun  in  Gelajius  the 
fecond  his  dayes,  in  the  year  of  Chrifts  Incarna- 
tion, one  thoufand  one  hundred  twenty  and  eight, 
by  Hugo  Paganus,  and  Gaufridus  de  Jancto  Alexan- 
dra :  they  were  named  Templers,  becaufe  they  kept 
in  a  part  of  the  buildings  near  to  the  Temple, 
they  kept  Bernardus  rule  in  their  living.  But 
28 


2IO  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  7. 

Clement  the  fifth  depofed  them,  partly  for  that 
they  renounced  the  Faith,  and  confpired  with  the 
Turks,  and  partly  for  other  notable  crimes. 

The  order  of  Teutonicks,  or  Dutch  Lords,  began 
in  Jerujalem  by  a  Dutch  man  whofe  name  is  not 
known  ;  Their  office  was  to  fight  againft  the 
enemies  of  Chrifts  Crofs,  it  began  in  the  dayes  of 
Clement  the  third,  the  year  of  Chrifts  incarnation 
1 190.  Petrus  Ferdinandus  a  Spaniard  began  the 
order  of  Saint  James  Knights,  that  lived  after  St. 
Aujlins  rule,  under  Alexander  the  third,  and  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord,  one  thoufand  one  hundred  and 
fixty,  in  the  fame  Bifhops  dayes. 

San^fius  a  King,  ordained  the  Fadion  of  Cala- 
tranean  Knights,  which  profefled  the  rule  of  the 
Ciftercienjes. 

Of  the  fame  profefTion  be  they  of  the  Order  of 
Jefus  Chrifts  Knights,  which  were  inftituted  by 
John  the  22th  Bifhop  of  that  name,  in  Portugall 
to  refift  the  Saracens. 

Alexandrians  brotherhood  of  Knights  in  the  Realm 
of  Cafiile,  that  began  in  Gregory  the  ninths  time, 
about  the  year  of  our  Salvation  1240,  but  who  was 
Author  of  them  is  uncertain.  James  King  of 
Arragon  did  found  two  feds  of  Knights,  one  named 
of  S.  Mary,  de  Mercede :  the  office  of  thofe  was  to 
ranfome  fuch  as  were  taken  Prifoners  in  wars  by 
the  Turks,  the  other  Sed  is  called  Montaftan 
Knights,  and  they  wear  a  Red  Crofs.  Both  thefe 
Orders  Gregory  the  nth  did  allow  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord,  1000. 

The  order  of  Minimes   or   leaft-brethren,    were 


Lib  7.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  211 

founded  by  one  Francifcus  Poula  a  Sicilian^  after  the 
example  oi  Frauncis  his  Minorites. 

The  Apoftolike  brethren  began  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  1260,  by  the  inftitution  of  Gerardus 
Sagarelus,  in  the  town  named  Perma  in  Lombardy 
in  the  time  of  Alexander  the  fourth. 

The  white  fed  fprung  up  in  the  Alps,  and  de- 
fcended  into  Italy  having  a  Prieft  for  their  Captain. 
But  Bonifacius  perceiving  they  (hould  do  no  good  to 
his  honourable  eftate  if  they  continued,  caufed  their 
Captain  to  be  beheaded  at  Viterhium^  as  attainted  of 
fome  Herefy,  the  year  of  our  Lord  1400.  They 
were  a  great  number,  and  did  no  other  thing  but 
lament  the  ftate  of  Mankind,  and  bewail  the  fins 
of  the  people.  There  was  of  this  fafhion  both 
men  and  Women,  and  were  called  the  white  i^di^ 
becaufe  they  ware  white  cloathing. 


CHAP.  VI. 

THE       NINIVITES,       ASSYRIANS,       ANTONIANS,       AND 

CEREMONIES. 


N 


O  lefTe  fuperftition  is  in  the  fraternity  of  the 
Ninivites,  although  they  avant  themfelves  to  have 
received  their  manner  of  living  from  the  Apoftles  : 
for  the  end  of  their  doings  is  to  work  their  own 
Salvation  by  deeds  fatisfadory  to  God,  where  in 
deed  they  derogate  the  effed  and  power  of  Chrifts 
bloud.  The  Rites  be  fpecified  with  outward  holi- 
nefs :  as  often  affembling  to  prayer,  hyring  of  Chaun- 
try  priests,  fupporting  poverty,  and  be  cloathed  in 
fackcloath,  and  fcourge  one  another  with  whips. 

Of  this  painted  pennance  they  call  themfelves 
Ninevites,  as  though  they  appeafed  Gods  wrath  in 
the  fame  wife,  as  they  of  Nineveh  did,  where  in 
deed  they  had  hearty  contrition  for  their  offences : 
thefe  have  but  pretenfed  holinefs  and  penitence. 
They  began  under  Clement  the  third,  the  year  of 
our  Lord,  one  thoufand,  285. 

The  manner  of  their  whipping  came  of  the 
Romane  facrifices,  and  Lupercalia,  whereof  I  fpake 
before ;  for  they  ufed  the  fame  cuftome  of  a  fuper- 


Lib.  7.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  213 

ftitious  opinion:  or,  if  a  man  would  be  curious  in 
bolting  out  of  the  original  of  their  beating,  it  may- 
appear  to  have  proceeded  of  an  obfervance  of  the 
Egyptians,  For  the  ufage  was  there,  that  whileft 
they  offered  a  Cow  with  many  Ceremonies  to  their 
great  Idol,  as  Herodotus  witneffeth,  during  the 
burning  thereof,  they  fhould  beat  one  another  mif- 
erably  with  wands  or  rods. 

The  title  of  their  fraternity  came  of  the  Romans, 
which  had  divers  fellowfhips,  as  Sodales  Titii,  and 
Fratres  Arvales  that  facrificed  to  Ceres,  goddefs  of 
Corn.  Another  fort  there  is,  not  onely  idle,  but 
alfo  theevifh,  and  they  be  called  AJJyrians,  the  fame 
that  we  name  commonly  Egyptians.  Thefe,  as  all 
men  have  heard,  and  many  have  by  experience 
proved,  be  fo  light  fingered,  that  they  will  find 
two  things,  before  they  lofe  one. 

The  men  by  fuch  pilfery,  theft,  and  plain  fl:eal- 
ing,  and  Women  by  Palmeftry,  bleffmgs,  with  like 
other  forcery,  and  witchcraft,  furnifhed  with  lyes, 
feduce  and  deceive  a  great  number  of  fimple  people 
in  every  Countrey  and  Region. 

And  becaufe  they  fhould  have  more  liberty  to 
fpeed  their  purpofes,  they  fay.  It  is  their  vow,  and 
penance  is  given  them  to  go  in  continual  pilgrim- 
age. 

The  occafion  that  thefe  vagabonds  fi:ray  thus 
abroad,  came  of  an  old  Idol  that  they  worfhippedin 
their  -Paganifm,  named  the  Goddefs  of  Syria, 
wherewith  they  ufed  to  gad  from  place  to  place  to 
beg  money,  wine,  milk,  cheefe,  corn,  and  other 
fluff,  as  Apuleius  writeth. 


214  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  7. 

The  fame  people  now  they  be  chriftened,  play 
their  parts  in  like  manner  with  fundry  fubtilties: 
and  what  they  get  by  lying,  picking,  ftealing,  brib- 
ing, they  make  money  of;  and  fo  return  home, 
laughing  to  fcorn  all  thofe  fimple  perfons  that  they 
have  thus  deceived. 

Seeing  all  other  fuperftitions  be  abolifhed  and 
rooted  up,  it  is  pity  that  this  fhould  take  ftill 
effedt,  and  be  unpunifhed.  The  Antonians  were  a 
counterfeit  of  Anthony  s  perfedion;  but  they  dif- 
fer as  much  from  his  holinefs,  as  white  from  black; 
they  have  a  T.  on  their  breaft,  that  meaneth  Tolle^ 
teaching  them  to  take  what  they  can  get,  be  it  Cow, 
Ox,  Calf,  or  Pigg;  for  they  offer  Swine  to  him,  as 
they  did  facrifice  fheep  to  Bell  in  Babylon;  they 
were  inftituted  in  the  year  of  Chrift  324. 

The  Ceretanes  began  in  Ceretum^  a  City  of 
Umbria,  and  they  ever  ufed  to  go  a  begging  at  the 
latter  end  of  Harveft,  when  the  Barns  were  ftufF'd 
with  corn;  and  fo  like  drones  devour  that  which 
others  have  gotten  with  the  fweat  of  their  browes. 

Of  thefe  valiant  beggers,  there  be  in  every  place 
a  great  many;  but  I  cannot  tell  what  time  they 
were  inftituted;  and  how  foon  they  be  put  down, 
it  skilleth  not. 


CHAP.   VI  L 


THE  ORIGINALL    OF  MAHOMET  S  SECT. 


O 


F  all  thefe  fuperftitlous  Seds  before  rehearfed, 
there  is  not  one  fo  diabolical,  as  the  Se6l  of 
Mahometans,  as  well  for  the  filthinefs  of  all  unlaw- 
full  lufts,  as  other  outragious  naughtinefTe,  that 
they  occupied  daily,  to  the  great  endamaging  of 
Chriftendome,  and  encreafe  of  their  own  infidelity. 
Of  this  unreverent  religion,  Mahomet  a  Noble-1 
man,  born  in  Arabia,  or  as  fome  report,  m^T'erfta, 
was  authour:  his  father  was  an  Heathen  Idolater, 
and  his  Mother  an  Ifmaelite :  wherefore  fhe  had 
more  perceivance  of  the  Hebrewes  law.  This 
wicked  plant,  brought  up  and  foftered  under  his 
Parents,  and  inftrufted  like  a  mungrell  in  either  of 
their  lawes,  became  expert,  and  of  a  ready  wit:  And 
after  the  death  of  his  father  and  mother,  he  was  in 
houfhold  with  one  Abdemonaples,  an  Ifmaelite, 
which  put  him  in  truft  with  his  merchandife,  and 
other  affairs;  and  after  his  deceafe,  he  married  his 
Miftrefs,  a  Widow.  There  he  fell  in  acquaintance 
ywTtli  the  Monk  Sergius,  an  heretick  of  Nejiorius's 


iM-t  ^^ 


^.- 


k.*^ 


tj4fi"^ 


Ui 


rii 


(M 


':Jii9^..' 


*-^U/ 


2l6 


POLIDORE   VIRGIL. 


Lib.  7. 


nl/ 


-^^^ 


t^^S> 


iT'"^" 


01 


fed,  that  fled  from  Byzance  into  Arabia;  and  by 
his  counfell  and  advice,  this  Mahomet^  about  the 
year  of  our  Lord  five  hundred  and  twenty ;  and 
the  twelfth  year  of  the  reign  of  the  Emperour  Her- 
aclius ;  began  in  Arabia  to  found  a  new  fed,  and 
by  feditious  Sermons  feduced  much  and  many 
Countries.  He  conquered  by  help  of  the  Arabians 
divers  Lands,  and  fubdued  them  as  Tributaries, 
and  compelled  them  to  live  after  the  tradition  of 
his  laws,  that  he  gathered  out  of  the  New  and  Old 
Teftaments,  and  divers  herefies  of  Nicolaites,  Man- 
icheeSy  and  Sabellians,  He  dyed  the  _^oth_year_of^ 
his  age,  and  his  body  was  carried   by  the  Saracens 

to  a  City  of  Perfia,  called  Mejcha,  and  laid  in  a 
Coffin  of  Iron.    -        ;•      '     ''^  -Jh ^l^fi{ ^M  ^ 

Caliphas  fucceeded  Mahomet;  but  ne  was  aepoied' 
for  his  fuperftition,  and  another  of  the  fame  name 
was  fubftituted  in  his  room. 

Homar  was  the  third  that  reigned ;  and  he,  after 
the  conqueft  of  the  Perfians,  wan  Hierufalem,  and 
all  Syria,  the  year  of  our  Lord  680,  in  the  time  of 
Agathon  Bifhop  of  Rome,  and  Constantine  the  4th, 
Emperour.  This  Sed  waxeth  daily  bigger  and 
bigger,  partly  through  the  difcord  of  Chriftian 
Princes  ;  and  partly  by  reafon  of  our  flnfull  living, 
that  daily  groweth  to  greater  enormities,  that  de- 
ferve  the  heavy  hand  of  God  over  us. 


THE  END    OF    THE     SEVENTH    BOOK. 


Polidore    Virp-il 


The  Eighth  BOOK. 


CHAP.  I. 


OF     RELIQUES,      STATIONS,      THE    YEAR    OF     JUBILEE, 
PzVRDONS. 


N 


OT  long  after  the  Martyrdom  o£  Peter  and 
Pauly  both  many,  and  that  of  divers  forts,  as  well 
men  as  women,  by  the  example  of  their  conftancy, 
were  encouraged  to  fuffer  fundry  kinds  of  torments 
in  feveral  parts  of  the  World,  for  the  maintaining 
of  Chriftian  Religion.  But  namely  in  Rome, 
much  murther  of  innocent  blood  was  committed 
of  Tyrants  by  many  manner  of  punishments,  and 
a  great  number  dyed  in  Chrift's  cause :  among 
others,  certain  Bifliops,  to  the  number  of  thirty 
and  two,  were  flain  by  extreme  perfecution,  unlefs 
28* 


2x8  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  8. 

it  were  feven  of  them,  which  by  death  were  pre- 
vented before  they  attained  the  Crown  of  Martyrs. 
Therefore  confidering  that  much  Martyrs  blood 
was  fpent  and  that  fpecially  in  Rome,  and 
many  from  other  places  were  conveyed  thither; 
Cletus  2ind  Anacletus,  Bifhops  there,  did  ferioufly  go 
about  to  reverence  them.  For  the  one  appointed  a 
place  where  Martyrs  fhould  feverally  have  their  Se- 
pulchres apart  from  the  lay  people  ;  and  the  other 
by  decree,  denounced  him  accurfed  as  facrlleglous, 
that  by  word  or  deed  hindred  mens  devotion  from 
vifiting  the  tombs  of  the  Apoftles. 

Upon  this  occasion,  Califtus  the  FIrft,  builded, 
beyond  Tyber^  a  Church,  in  honour  of  our  Lady  : 
and  Conjlantine,  Emperour,  edified  to  Peter,  Paul, 
and  Laurence,  Temples.  This  matter  was  by 
Gregory  the  Saint  fet  forward,  to  the  encreafe  of 
fuperflitlous  devotion  ;  For  he  appointed  the 
Letanles  of  Saints,  with  Ora  pro  nobis,  to  be  sung 
with  Mafles  in  certain  folemn  dayes  in  the  chief 
Temples  of  the  City,  promlfing  them  that  repaired 
thither  at  fuch  folemn  Feafts,  clean  remiffion  of 
fins  by  his  pardon.  And  he  named  the  pompous 
facrlfices.  Stations,  becaufe  they  were  celebrated  on 
certain  dayes  limited  and  prescribed  by  Statute. 
Bonifacius  the  eighth,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
1300,  appointed  the  year  of  Jubilee,  or  grace,  to 
be  kept  every  hundred  year  with  clean  remlfTion  a 
pcena  et  culpa,  to  all  them  that  vlfited  the  Temples 
of  the  Apoftles  Peter  and  Paul.  And  this  was 
taken  up  of  the  example  of  the  Hebrews,  albeit 
they  did  keep  it  every  50  years ;   or  elfe,  as  fome 


Lib.  8'.  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  219 

think,  he  affigned  the  years  according  to  the  old 
Feafts  of  Apollo  and  Diana,  which  the  Romans 
Heathen  folemnized  every  hundred  year  ;  and  of 
that  they  were  called  Ludi  Jeculares.  About  fifty 
years  after,  Clement  the  fixth  decreed.  That  it 
fhould  be  celebrated  every  fifty  years,  as  the 
Hebrews  rite  was,  because  no  man  was  able  to  attain 
the  old  Jubilee  of  an  hundred  years.  Laft  of  all, 
Sextus  the  fourth  reftrained  the  year  of  grace  to  the 
25th  year,  and  he  himfelf  kept  it  at  that  day, 
which  was  in  the  year  of  Gods  grace  fhewed  by  his 
Son  Jefus  Chrift  to  the  World,  a  thoufand  four 
hundred  threefcore  and  fifteen.  About  the  fame 
time,  Pardons  were  much  ufed,  but  who  was  the 
firft  author  of  them,  I  have  not  read  in  any 
Writer,  faving  that  Saint  Gregory  (as  I  faid  before) 
proclaimed  Pardons  as  a  reward  for  them,  that  came 
to  his  Stations.  This  feed  fown  by  Gregory,  grew 
to  a  ripe  Harveft  in  the  time  of  Bonifacius  the  9th, 
who  reaped  much  money  for  that  chaff.  After  this, 
Alexander  the  fixth,  that  was  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  1500,  affigned  the  Jubilee  and  Stations  to  be 
had  in  fundry  Provinces  and  Countries,  to  the 
intent,  that  leffe  throng  of  people  and  more  thrift 
of  money  might  come  to  Rome,  and  so  the  people 
fhould  onely  lofe  their  money,  and  save  their 
labour.  But  Mojes  was  the  firft  author  of  the 
Jubilee,  as  appeareth  by  Jojephus  in  the  Old  Tefl:a- 
ment. 


CHAP.  II. 

THE  BISHOP  OF  ROMES  TITLES,  COLLEDGES  OF  SCRIBES, 
SEALING  BULLS  WITH   LEAD,   ANNATES. 

r  ORASMUCH  as  nothing  is  fo  decent  for  a 
Prieft  as  gentlenefle,  nothing  fo  fit  as  lowlinefie, 
nothing  more  comely  then  humblenefs,  according 
to  the  faying  of  our  Saviour,  Learn  of  me,  for  I  am 
meek  and  lowly  in  heart,  nor  nothing  more  againft 
their  order  than  pride  and  arrogancy,  Gregory  the  S, 
Bifhop  of  Rome,  named  himself  Servus fervorumDei, 
which  thing  he  did  not  onely  ufurp  in  Title,  but 
alfo  exprefs  in  deed.  This  name  and  preface  was 
received  and  ufed  of  his  Successours,  but  his 
hearty  meeknefs  was  refufed,  as  a  thing  -that 
diminifhed  their  Pontifical  eflate.  Cletus  added  to 
Salutem  et  Apoflolicam  benedi^ionem,  as  a  Salutation 
condigne  and  appertaining  to  vertue  and  godlinefs, 
and  a  resemblant  to  Chrifts  greeting,  which  was 
Peace  be  with  you;  or  of  the  Hebrews,  that  ufed 
to  fay  in  their  meetings  Peace  be  with  thee:  And 
this  all  our  Bifhops  have  referved  to  themfelves 
as  a  peculiar  faluting. 


Lib.  8.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  221 

As  concerning  the  Scribes  that  ufed  to  write  the 
letters  -Apoilolical,  where  before  time  they  were 
wont  to  write  for  nothing,  or  elfe  alked  very  little; 
John  the  22th,  defirous  to  encreafe  and  enlarge  his 
fubftance,  founded  a  CoUedge  of  Scribes  that 
fhould  write  and  endite  letters  of  their  own  device, 
and  do  other  offices,  but  they  muft  be  chofen  out 
of  his  own  Clerks,  and  muft  pay  and  be  difmifTed 
of  money,  before  they  could  be  admitted  to  the 
room.  He  did  alfo  pay,  (to  thofe  which  had  be- 
nefices of  his  gift  and  prefentation)  all  fuch  things, 
as  belong  to  the  Apoftolical  penitencers.  Bennet 
the  1 2th  devifed  firft,  and  determined  the  price  of 
Writs,  and  Bulls.  The  cuftome  of  fealing  the 
Bifhop  of  Romes  Bulls  with  lead,  was  taken  up  by 
Steven  the  third,  and  Hadrian  the  firft ;  to  the  intent 
they  fhould  endurelonger,  where  before  time  the  ufage 
was,  to  Seal  in  wax  with  a  Ring.  And  this  was 
the  year  of  our  Lord  772,  at  which  time  Hadrian 
was  Bifhop  :  before  thofe  days  I  find  no  mention 
of  fealing  with  Lead  as  before  Carolus  Magnus^  none 
of  the  Roman  Emperours  fealed  letters  with  Gold; 
Pins  the  fecond  did  create  Breviators,  and  fet  them 
in  an  Order,  which  Paul  depofed  ;  but  Sextus  after- 
ward renewed  them,  and  alfo  inftituted  a  new 
Colledge  of  Solicitors,  and  Prodors,  by  whofe 
Counfell  and  advice,  all  Bulls  and  grants  were  made 
and  ratified.  He  alfo  ordained  9  notaries  of  the 
Treafure  Apoftolical,  and  affigned  to  every  of  them 
certain  fees  and  profits,  that  he  might  have  fpeedy 
utterance  of  the  rooms.  Innocentius  that  succeeded 
next  Sextus,    devised  the  Colledge  of  Secretaries, 


222  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  8. 

and  Alexander  the  fixth  increased  the  number  of 
writers  of  his  Briefs,  to  the  number  of  eighty  and 
above. 

The  fummoners  and  catch-poles,  that  were 
hangers  unto  thofe  Breviatours,  were  by  Nicolas 
the  third  put  out  of  office,  left  all  the  poor  fheep 
ftiould  be  flay'd  to  the  quick.  But  all  this  filled 
not  fo  much  the  Popes  Coffers  in  7  years,  as  his 
Annates  did  in  one.  Annates  he  called  the  yearly 
revenues  or  half  part  of  the  fruits,  of  a  Benefice  or 
fpiritual  promotion,  that  he  received  of  the  new 
incumbents.  Thefe  began  first  at  his  own  Bene- 
fices, whereof  he  was  a  patron.  And  Clement  the  fifth 
generally  decreed  it,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1305, 
Bonifiacius  the  ninth,  and  John  the  22th  renewed 
the  Decree  for  fear  of  forgetting,  becaufe  it  helpeth 
much  the  purfe. 


CHAP.  III. 


OF  THE  SECT  OF   SIMONIAKES,    HERETICKS,   AND 
SCHISMS. 

J7  HILIP  the  Deacon,  when  he  had  by  his 
preaching,  converted  them  of  Samaria  to  Chrifts 
Religion,  among  many  other,  he  turned  one  Simon 
a  Magician  and  inchanter,  and  Baptifed  him.  In 
fhort  fpace  after,  Peter  and  John  were  fent  thither, 
to  confirm  them  in  the  Faith,  by  giving  them  the 


Lib.  8.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  223 

Holy  Ghost,  through  laying  on  of  hands,  this 
Simon  perceiving  the  feat  of  Peter ^  that  he  could  by 
laying  on  of  hands,  give  the  Holy  Ghoft,  profered 
to  give  a  large  fum  of  money  to  have  that  pov/er 
taught  him,  whereas  he  fhould  rather  have  obtained 
it  by  Faith  and  godlinelTe.  Peter  m.oved  at  thofe 
words,  with  anger  faid,  Thy  jnoney  fnall  turn  to  thy 
deftruction,  becauje  thou  Juppof eft  the  gift  of  God  to  be 
bought  with  money  ;  neither  fnalt  thou  have  any  portion 
or  doal  of  this  charge^  for  thy  heart  is  not  upright 
before  God.  Thus  rejefted  of  his  fuit,  he  became  a 
great  enemy  to  Peter,  and  in  Rome  feduced  by 
his  Magick  much  people,  infomuch  that  he  was 
taken  and  proclaimed  by  Heroes  Charter  a  god, 
with  this  title,  Simon  deusfanSfus. 

But  Peter  with  the  fword  of  Gods  word,  after 
long  conflid  of  words,  and  contention  of  miracles, 
between  the  Capitol  or  Councel-chamber,  and  the 
Mount  A  V  en  tine  caufed  that,  as  he  was  by  his 
Magical  exorcifms  lifted  up,  and  flying  in  the 
Ayre,  he  had  fuch  a  fall  that  he  brake  his  Leg,  and 
it  cofl:  him  his  life  in  Aretia^  where  he  lay  at  Surgery 
for  the  healing  of  his  leg. 

Of  him,  all  that  buy  and  fell  the  gifts  of  the 
Holy  Ghoft,  and  fay  the  World  was  not  of  the 
creation  of  God,  but  proceeded  of  a  power  above, 
were  named  Simoyiiakes  :  and  fome  call  them  that 
buy  or  fell  Benefices,  and  fpiritual  promotions, 
which  thing  (although  it  be  often  ufed)  is  plainly 
forbidden  by  the  Scriptures.  Next  Simon  fucceeded 
his  Difciple  Menander,  a  Samaritane  born,  which 
called  himfelfa  Saviour  sent  from  heaven  to  preferve 


224  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  8. 

and  fave  men;  and  prpmifed  them  that  received  his 
Baptifm,  fliould  live  immortally :  he  did  more 
harm,  and  perverted  more  than  his  Mailer  Simon 
had  done. 

In  the  fame  year  the  herefy  of  the  Nlcolaitans 
began,  which  taught  that  Wives  fhould  be  ufed  in 
common,  as  the  Anabaptifts  do  now  at  this  time. 

Then  also  Corinthus  enterprifed,  to  mix  the  new 
Law  with  the  old,  affirming,  Circumcifion  ought  to 
be  obferved  and  kept ;  and  that  after  the  Refurrec- 
tion,  men   fhould  live  a  thoufand  years   in  carnal 
lufts    and    pleafures.     In    thofe    dayes    Ebion    his 
herefie  brake  out,  which  faid,  That  Chrift  was  not 
before  his  Mother.    Againft  this  fellow,  John  wrote 
his  Gofpel,  laft  of  all  the  Evangelifts.     About  that 
time  were  other  divers  hereticks  ;   as  Bafilides,  that 
affirmed,    there    were     two    beginnings,    principal 
caufes  of  things  contrary:  and  his  Scholler  Marcion 
a  Stoician,  that  denyed   Chrift  to  be  the   Son  of 
God  :   and  Valentian^  that  faid,  Chrift  took  no  flefh 
of  the  Virgins  body,  but  paffed  thorow  her,  as  it 
were,    through    a    Pipe    or    Conduit.     Then    alfo 
Montanus  named  himfelf,  the  Comforter,  or  Holy 
Ghoft.     Apelles  was  then  alfo,   which  faid,    Chrift 
was    but  a    phantafte  in    the  fight    of  men :   and 
Sabellius,  that   faid,  the  Father,  the   Son,  and  the 
Holy   Ghoft,   were  but   one   Person :   and   Paulus 
SamqfatenuSy  which  denyed  the  two  Natures  to  be  in 
Chrift,  and  that  he  began  but  of  his  Mother,  and 
that  fhe   had  after  him  more   children  by  Jojeph, 
And  thus  began  Hereticks  firft  to  fpring  up.     As 
for   Schifms,   which  fprung    of   fuch  herefies  and 


Lib.  8.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  225 

erronious  opinions,  Novatianus  a  Prieft  of  Rome 
was  the  firft  author,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  255, 
in  the  time  of  Cornelius  Bifhop  of  Rome:  He 
named  his  difciples  Mundi^  that  is,  pure  and  clean ; 
and  he  affirmed,  that  offenders  ought  not  to  be 
admitted,  but  rejeded,  although  they  were  peni- 
tent for  their  fins:  Which  opinion,  the  Anabap- 
tifts  now  maintain.  He  was  condemned  by  Cor- 
nelius Bifhop  of  Rome,  as  an  heretick,  with  all  his 
adherents.  About  80  years  after,  in  the  reign  of 
Conftantine  the  Great,  Arrius?i  Prieft  of  Alexandria^ 
was  the  beginner  of  a  Se6t  and  Schifm,  that  denyed 
the  Son  to  be  of  the  fubftance  of  God  the  Father; 
but  this  was  convidt  in  the  Council  of  Nicene, 
albeit  not  extind. 

The  third  Schifm  was,  when  Damafus  was  Bifhop 
of  Rome,  wherein  they  contended,  not  only  with 
voyces  and  words,  but  alfo  with  violence  and 
weapons,  by  reafon  of  the  ambition  of  the  Bifhops 
there  affembled.  Other  Schifms  have  fprung  in 
our  time,  to  the  great  difquietnefs  and  confufion  of 
Chriftian  Religion,  and  deftrudion  of  Common- 
wealths, which  I  pray  God  may  be  redreffed  and 
ftayed,  to  the  honour  of  Him  to  the  confirmation 
of  the  faithful,  to  the  fubverfion  of  hypocrifie,  to 
the  advancement  of  Gods  Word,  to  the  mitigating 
of  the  trouble  of  publike  weals,  to  the  eftablifh- 
ment  of  perpetual  unity  of  heart,  and  continual 
peace,  all  diffention  and  war  extinguifhed. 


29 


CHAP    IV. 


WHEN      THE     FIRST     GENERAL     COUNCIL     WAS       KEPT 
AND  WHICH  WERE  ALLOWED  BY  THE  FATHERS. 


T 


HE  custome  of  affembling  Councils,  to  take 
deliberation  of  things  doubtfull,  of  matters  ferious, 
is  of  great  ancientry,  as  well  among  the  Hebrews, 
as  other  Nations ;  And  by  fuch  a  manner  of 
Council,  was  Matthias  furrogated  and  subftituted  in 
the  stead  of  Judas ^  into  the  number  of  the  Apoftles. 
And  by  a  Council  holden  at  Jerufalem  the  Apof- 
tles difcharged  the  Gentiles  of  Mofes  law. 

Cornelius  was  the  firft,  as  plainly  appeareth,  that 
called  together  any  council ;  and  that  was  in  Rome, 
of  600  Bifhops,  and  as  many  Priefts,  with  a  great 
multitude  of  Deacons.  In  this  Council,  the  here- 
fie  of  the  Novatians  was  convided.  And  at  the 
fame  time  fate  alfo  a  Council  at  Carthage^  where 
Saint  Cyprian  was  Bifhop.  Eujebius  writeth  also. 
That  once  in  the  dayes  of  Dionyfius,  and  likewise  in 


Lib.  8.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  227 

the  time  of  Felix^  the  Fathers  fummoned  another 
Council  at  Antioch,  to  condemn  Paul  Samqfatene^ 
which  denyed  the  two  Natures  of  Chrift,  as  is 
aforesaid. 

Five  other  Councils  were  celebrated  in  the  reign 
of  Const antine  the  Emperour,  and  all  were  in  Greece  ; 
One  at  Nicea,  a  City  of  Bithine,  where  were 
gathered  318  Bifhops  to  confnte  Arrius  and  his 
Sed.  This  was  the  year  of  Chrift  324,  the  fame 
time  that  Sylvester  the  Firft  was  Bifhop  of  Rome. 

The  fecond  was  at  Conftantinople,  when  Damafus 
was  Bifhop  of  Rome,  wherein  Macedonius  and 
Eudoxas  were  condemned,  becaufe  they  did  deny 
the  Holy  Ghoft  to  be  God. 

The  third  was  at  Ephefus^  Celeftine  the  firft  then 
occupying  the  See  of  Rome.  There  was  Nejiors 
herefie  abolifhed,  that  faid,  Mary  the  Virgin  was 
Mother  of  Chrift  a  man,  but  not  as  he  was  of  God; 
and  that  the  Perfon  of  the  Godhead  and  his  Man- 
hood were  two  fundry  Perfons. 

The  fourth  was  at  Chalcedonie,  under  Leo  the 
Firft,  where  Eutyches  an  heretick  was  condemned : 
Thefe  four.  Saint  Gregory  thought  worthy  to  be 
admitted  and  allowed  to  the  eftablishing  of  our 
Religion. 

The  fifth  was  solemnly  kept  at  Bizance,  at  the 
Commandment  of  Vigilius  Bifhop  of  Rome:  and 
in  this  was  Theodorus  reafoned  with,  which  affirmed, 
that  Mary  did  bear  onely  a  man,  and  not  God  and 
man;  for  that  cause  the  Council  there  then  decreed. 
That  Chrift's  Mother  fhould  be  called  Theotocos^  or 
Deipara^  that  is.  Bearer  of  God  :  and  the  Ads  of 
this  Council  were  received  by  Gregory. 


228  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  8. 

The  fixth  Council,  Conftantine  the  fourth,  at  the 
requeft  and  fuit  of  Agathon^  called  also  at  Bizance, 
where  200  Bifhops  condemned  Macarius  of  Anti- 
och.  This  Council  was  accepted  by  Hadrian  the 
Firft.  That  no  Council  might  be  legitimate,  or 
lawfully  aflembled  without  the  Bifhop  of  Rome's 
confent  and  affent,  was  the  constitution  and  decree 
of  Marcelliis  the  First ;  and  afterward  Julius  Dama- 
fus^  and  Gregory^  ratified  the  fame. 

Martin  the  Fifth  made  a  Law,  That  every  tenth 
year  the  Bifhop  of  Rome,  and  all  Chriftian  Prin- 
ces fhould  meet  together,  to  consult  of  matters 
concerning  our  Religion  and  Chriftian  Faith.  It 
was  decreed  at  the  Council  of  Nicene,  That  every 
Bifhop  fhould  twice  yearly  have  a  Synod  or  Senes 
general  within  his  Diocefs,  to  corre6t  and  reform 
fuch  things  as  were  out  of  order.  But  now  the 
matter  is  fo  handled,  that  Senes,  be  onely  Courts 
to  gather  their  Senage  and  Proxy;  with  a  Proceffion, 
and  a  Sermon  that  the  half  underftand  not;  and 
other  corredion  I  hear  of  none. 


CHAP.  V. 


OF    THE    FIRST    PERSECUTORS    OF    CHRISTIANS  ;    AND 
FIRST  MARTYRS. 


C 


HRIST,  which  came  into  this  World,  and 
was  Incarnate,  to  bear  witness  unto  the  truth,  had 
for  his  true  teftimony  great  envy  of  the  Jews; 
infomuch  that  they  perfecuted  him  to  the  vile 
death  of  the  Crofs,  for  his  earneft  record  and 
report  of  the  truth  ;  and  they  did  no  lefTe  pur- 
fue  the  Apoftles  and  MefTengers  of  the  truth.  For 
when  they,  following  the  example  of  their  Mafter, 
did  openly  declare  the  Word  of  truth,  and  namely 
Peter  did  forely  rebuke  the  wickednefse  of  the  Jewes, 
in  putting  to  death  Chrift  the  author  of  life,  ad- 
vertifing  them  to  repent  and  amend  :  the  Jewes 
were  fo  furious,  that  firft  they  murthered  Stephen^ 
as  the  A5is  of  the  Apoftles  testifie,  becaufe  he  was  a 
vehement  witnefle  of  the  truth.  This  Stephen  did 
two  years  continually,  after  Chrift's  death,  difpute 
with  all  the  Learned  men  of  Alexandria,  Cyrene, 


230  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  8. 

Cilicia  and  Afta^  and  by  heavenly  wifdome,  confound- 
ed their  worldly  ^reafons,  and  humane  learning. 
Wherefore  they  were  fo  fore  vexed  with  hate  and 
malice  againft  him,  that  they  violently  thruft  him 
out  of  the  City,  and  then  cruelly  ftoned  him  to 
death.  Thus  Stephen  was  the  firft  open  maintainer 
and  defender  of  our  Chriftian  Religion.  After- 
ward, as  Luke  telleth,  fo  bitter  and  fharp  perfecu- 
tion  did  burft  out  againft  the  Chriftians  that  were 
in  Jerufalem,t\\2it  they  were  enforced  to  ftray  abroad, 
and  were  fcattered  throughout  all  Jewry  and  Sama- 
ria, faving  that  the  Apoftles  remained  and  fojourned 
ftill  at  Jerujalem.  Notwithftanding,  this  perfecution 
was  the  occafion  of  great  furtherance  of  the  Gofpel, 
by  reafon  they  ceafed  not,  but  preached  ftill  the 
word  everywhere,  with  great  increafe,  and  augment- 
ing of  the  faithful  number. 

Among  the  Heathen  Nations,  Nero  was  the 
firft  Prince  that  perfecuted  our  religion  univerfally; 
and  put  Peter  and  Paul  to  death,  and  confequently 
many  other  innocents  were  (lain  cruelly.  For 
when  of  a  devillifh  mind  that  he  had,  he  could  not 
fpare  even  his  Country ;  but  either  for  difpleasure  of 
the  ruinous  houfes,  which  grieved  him  to  behold,  or 
elfe  defirous  to  fee  a  refemblance  of  the  burning  of 
Troy,  he  fet  on  fire  the  moft  part  of  the  City  of 
Rome,  with  fo  huge  a  flame,  that  it  burned  six 
dayes,  and  fix  nights  continually,  to  the  impover- 
ifhing  of  many  thoufands  of  rich  Citizens.  Then 
to  mitigate  the  fhamefuU  and  abominable  deed, 
and  to  flint  the  bruit  and  flanderous  report,  that 
went   on  him  for  that    flagitious    fad  there  were 


Lib.  8.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  231 

forged  falfe  witnefles,  to  fay,  the  Christian  men  did 
this  ad;    and  fo,   many  {imple  innocents   fmarted 
for  that  Tyrant's  pleafure  :   and  to  obdurate  him- 
felf  in  mischief,  he  proclaimed  an  open  Perfecution 
againft  all  that  profefTed  the  Name  of  Chrift.     Not 
long  after,  Domitian   renewed  another  afllidion  of 
the   Chriftians :    and    Trajanus  raifed    the    fourth. 
Marcus   Antonius,    and    Lucius  Aurelius   Commodus 
ftirred  up  the  fifth  Perfecution.     Mlius    Pertinax 
moved  the  fixth.    Maximinus  procured  the  feventh. 
DeciuSy  the  eighth.     Valerianus  the  ninth.     Aureli- 
anus  caufed  the  tenth.     And  Dioclejianus  began  the 
eleventh,  which  was  foreft,  f  harpeft,  and  of  longer 
continuance  then  any  of  all  the  reft:   in  fuch  fort, 
that  Scripture-books  were  burned,  and  Churches 
plucked  down,  Chriftian  Magiftrates  that  did  bear 
any  office,  were  depofed,   Souldiers  were  enforced 
to  deny  their  faith ;  or  else  forego  their  goods,  and 
forbear     their    lifes,    by    a   general     proclamation. 
Neither  were  the  three  cruel   Tyrants  Maxentius, 
Licinius,  and  Maximianus  behind   with  their  parts, 
but  were  as  bufie  as  the  beft,  to  procure  trouble  to 
the  Christian  people. 

Conftantinus  born  in  England^  then  called  Britain^ 
was  the  firft  Chriftian  Emperour,  that  advanced 
and  defended  the  caufes  of  our  Religion,  and  pre- 
ferved  Chriftian  men  in  peace  and  quietnefte. 

In  all  thefe  Perfecutions,  many  did  fuffer  Mar- 
ty rdome,  as  divers  Hiftories  record ;  but  Stephen 
was  the  firft  Martyr  of  the  New  Teftament.  For 
John  Baptiji  died  before  the  confummation  of  the 
old  Law.     After  this  example  many  other  enfued. 


232 


POLIDORE   VIRGIL. 


Lib.  8. 


and  fuftained  like  crofles  for  the  truth  fake  ;  which 
all  now  reign  with  God.  To  whom  alone  be  all 
glory,  honour,  and  praife,  world  without  end.  So 
be  it. 


THE  END  OF  THE    EIGHTH   BOOK. 


Polidore  Virgil. 

The  Ninth  BOOK, 
CHAP.  I. 


OF      BUTTONS,      AND      OTHER      GARMENTS      OF      THE 


T 


ANCIENTS. 


HE  Invention  of  a  Button  is  a  thing  worthy 
of  confideration,  wherewith  the  Antients  did  faften 
their  Coats  together,  or  fometimes  their  Girdles. 
In  its  loweft  part  it  had  the  biggeft  circumference, 
and  fo  went  fmaller  towards  the  top  like  a  Pyra- 
mide  ;  it  was  made  and  joyned  to  the  raymentwith 
a  Golden  or  Brazen  thred,  that  it  might  without 
difficulty  be  moved  backwards  and  foreward. 

The  most  noble  and  rich  men  had  their  Buttons 
made  of  Gold.  The  mean  fort  of  people  ufed  Sil- 
ver. The  pooreft  Brafle  or  Iron.  Souldiers  did 
wear  Silver  Buttons.  But  Aurelianus  at  firft  al- 
lowed them  to  be  made  of  Gold  for  his  Souldiers 
30 


234  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  9. 

(as  Vopifcus  teftifies).  Empcrours  had  thefummity 
or  top  of  their  Buttons  made  of  Jewels,  and  fome- 
tlmes  the  whole  Button  itfelf.  The  Emperor  Leo 
commanded  that  fouldiers  fhould  ufe  fuch  Buttons 
as  were  onely  precious  for  Gold,  and  rare  workman- 
fliip,  but  not  such  as  were  enriched  with  jewels,  be- 
caufe  thofe  did  belong  to  the  ufe  and  ornament  of 
the  Emperour  onely.  Commanders  among  other 
rewards,  were  wont  to  give  a  Golden  Button  to 
thofe  Souldiers  that  had  fought  with  a  generous 
and  ftout  courage,  as  Livy  often  mentioneth. 

The  Antients  ufed  to  wear  a  fhort  Coat  under 
their  Gowns,  fuch  as  Deacons,  and  Sub  Deacons 
ufe,  and  all  did  gird  them  except  the  Senatours,  who 
did  wear  a  purple  Coat  called  Latus-CIavus.  For 
they  faftened  the  fides  of  it  together,  with  Golden 
Buttons,  which  were  called  in  Latine^  Latos  Clavos^ 
and  therefore  they  did  not  gird  their  Coats.  This 
kind  of  Garment  was  the  token  of  Senatours. 

When  it  was  cold,  they  did  wear  a  Cloak  under 
their  Gowns  which  was  fringed,  and  Knights  moft 
commonly  ufed  it,  as  Ifidore  declareth. 

In  Rainy  weather,  (as  Martial  faith)  they  did 
put  on  a  Cloak  made  of  Leather  or  skins,  which 
they  did  wear  above  their  Coat.  They  went  v/ith- 
out  Hose  to  cover  their  legs,  and  for  that  caufe 
when  the  duft  remained  on  them,  they  wafhed  them 
every  day  (as  ^intilian  alTerts).  Po^npey  having  a 
fwelling  upon  his  fhin,  covered  it  with  a  binding 
of  linnen,  and  a  Bracelet,  fo  that  a  certain  m.an  faid 
in  fport,  that  he  ware  that  on  his  leg,  which  Kings 
did  bear  on   their  heads.     Footmen  did  wear  hofe 


Lib  9.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  235 

or  leg-harnefle,  which  the  Latines  called  Caliga^ 
whence  the  Souldiers  were  called  Callgati,  Likewife 
they  had  short  Cloaks  or  Caflbcks,  which  faftned 
under  their  Chin,  and  when  they  were  ready  to 
fight,  they  caft  it  upon  both  their  fhoulders  ;  and, 
that  they  might  be  nimbler  to  refift  their  enemies, 
they  girded  it  about  them,  (as  Flutarch  doth  recite). 

Noble-men  and  horfemen,  did  put  on  Boots 
made  of  Hides,  that  came  up  to  their  knees;  and 
from  thence  upwards,  they  were  armed  with  Iron. 

There  is  a  great  doubt  rifen,  whether  the  An- 
cients ufed  a  covering  for  their  heads  or  no  :  feeing 
that  it  is  neither  manifested  in  ancient  coins  nor 
ftatutes.  Certainly  they  ufed  not  a  Hat,  which  re- 
presented the  one  half  of  an  Egg  fhell,  when  it 
was  cut  in  the  middeft,  for  that  was  given  to  fuch 
that  were  manumitted  from  their  servitude. 
Moreover,  Suetonius  relates,  that  Julius  Cajar  hav- 
ing found  that  the  deformity  of  baldnefle  was  ob- 
noxious, becaufe  of  the  jeers  of  detradors,  he  ac- 
cuftomed  to  turn  back  the  hair  which  grew  behind 
his  Crown  to  cover  the  baldnefTe  of  his  head :  but 
when  he  could  not  hide  it  fufficiently  by  this  means, 
he  ufurped  the  cuftome  of  wearing  a  Crown  of 
Laurell  continually;  which  care  had  been  fuper- 
fluous,  if  any  covering  for  the  head  had  been  in 
ufe. 

But  this  may  be  faid  that  the  invention  of  Hats 
was  ufed  to  defend  the  people  against  the  Sun. 
And  on  the  contrary  Plutarch  writes  that  Sylla  did 
rife  to  no  man,  nor  uncovered  his  head,  but  when 
Pompey  came.     Varro  affirms,  that  according  to  the 


236  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  9. 

inftitutions  of  the  Ancients,  every  one  was  to  un- 
cover his  head  to  any  Magiftrate  pafTing  by,  and 
that  more  for  health  than  honour  :  which  Contro- 
verfy  I  will  not  determine,  but  leave  this  field  to 
others,  wherein  they  may  exercife  themfelves. 

It  plainly  appears,  that  in  the  year  one  thoufand 
one  hundred  and  feventy,  there  was  a  certain  fort 
of  Hats,  that  was  black,  and  afcended  smaller  to- 
wards the  top  like  a  Pyr amide.  And  Nicetas,  in 
the  life  o^  Alexius  Comnenus^  writeth,  that  when  the 
Emperour  Andronicus  Comnenus  was  created,  a  cer- 
tain Hat  which  he  had,  being  taken  off,  in  the  place 
thereof  there  was  a  Purple  or  Red  Mitre  put  upon 
his  head. 


CHAP.  HI. 

OF  THE  BEZOAR  STONE. 


T 


HE  Bezoar-^tow^  was  unknown  in  former 
ages.  Some  fuppose  it  to  be  the  tears  of  a  Hart, 
which  having  devoured  a  Serpent,  and  cafting  itfelf 
into  the  water  to  expell  the  poyfon,  is  wont  to 
weep  exceedingly :  and  then  the  teats  being  hard- 
ened, and  fallen  upon  the  Land,  are  faid  to  be 
Bezoar.  But  that  is  false.  Yet  it  is  true,  that  thofe 
tears  have  that  virtue,  though  it  be  not  the  right 
Bezoar,  which  is  bread  in  Mauritania,  and  hath 
wonderfuU  effeds  against  any  poyfon. 


Lib.  9.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  237 

If  you  take  twelve  grains  of  it  in  wine,  it  utterly 
expels  all  forts  of  poyfon  prefently.  It  hath  the  fame 
efFeds,  if  you  lay  it  upon  the  bite  of  a  Serpent: 
and  it  defends  a  man's  perfon,  fo  that  no  poyfon 
can  hurt  him.  It  is  good  againft  the  Plague,  and 
peftilential  Feavers,  and  its  ufe  is  wonderfull  in 
many  difeafes  and  infirmities.  The  Arabians  had 
the  knowledg  of  it  first,  as  Rhafis  faith,  who  writ 
of  it,  and  lived  in  the  reign  o^  Al~ManJor^  the  great 
King  of  Mauritania.  The  Latines  and  Grascians 
never  knew  this  precious  ftone. 


CHAP.    III. 


OF      ALCHYMY. 


A 


LCHYMIA,  fignifieth  hifufion  or  Sleeping^ 
For  Chymia,  in  Greek,  denotes  Infufio  in  Latine ; 
and  yf/,  is  an  Arabian  Article,  fignifying  Hie. 

There  is  a  great  controverfie  when  Alchymy  was 
invented.  For  neither  Pliny  (though  he  was  other- 
wife  a  mofl:  diligent  author)  nor  any  Greek,  or 
Latine  Writer  make  any  mention  of  it.  But  I 
believe  that  it  is  very  ancient;  for  Suidas  writeth, 
that  the  Art  of  Alchymy  endured  till  the  time  of 
the  Argonauts^  when  Jajon  went  to  take  away  the 
golden  Fleece;  which  was  nothing  elfe  then  a  cer- 


238  POLIDORE   VIRGIL.  Lib.  9. 

tain  book,  that  taught  to  turn  other  Mettals  into 
Gold:  For  thofe  that  invented  that  ftory,  conceal- 
ing its  name,  called  it,  the  Golden  Fleece. 

The  Egyptians  profefled  that  Art  very  much, 
in  the  reign  of  the  Emperour  Diocleftan-.  who,  hat- 
ing them,  because  they  made  an  infurredion,  burned 
their  writings  concerning  their  diftilling  of  Gold 
and  Silver,  left  being  made  rich  by  this  Art,  and 
having  gotten  plenty  of  money,  they  fhould  rebell 
again.  The  Emperour  Diocleftan  was  created  in 
the  year  287;  fo  that  this  Art  was  rather  renewed, 
than  new. 

Many  things  were  ingeniouflly  invented  in  this 
our  Age,  which  were  totally  in  former  times  un- 
known. 

Among  which  Latten,  which  is  called  Lato,  may 
be  recorded;  which  is  made  bright  with  fome  cer- 
tain powder  which  is  mixed  with  it,  and  maketh 
the  fhining  of  the  Mettal,  which  is  not  reall; 
Becaufe  if  a  Spoon  of  the  fame  Latten  be  dipped 
in  the  fame  powder,  the  pure  brafs,  as  it  was  at 
firft,  will  return  to  the  fight;  for  the  duft  being 
confumed,  it  lofeth  the  counterfeit  brightneffe. 

The  Artifts  of  Alchymy  have  invented  a  means 
to  make  a  Saphyr  white,  fo  that  it  may  seem  to  be 
Adamant:  And  fo  it  is  wont  to  be  faftned  in  Rings, 
that  no  man,  though  never  fo  skillfull,  can  difcern 
it  to  be  a  Saphyr.  I  faw  a  tryal  of  it  amongft  the 
Lapidaries  o^  Venice \  for  a  difpute  being  rifen,  and 
a  wager  laid.  Whether  the  ftone  which  was  put  in 
the  Ring,  were  a  Saphir  or  an  Adamant;  the  anfwer 
was,  it  was  an  Adamant;   and  fuch  as  were  skillfull 


Lib.  9.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  239 

in  this  Art,  faid  that  that  Saphir  could  not  be 
diftinguifhed  from  an  Adamant. 

Alchymists  alfo  produce  a  certain  kind  of  Tin, 
which  you  would  think  were  true  Silver,  which 
being  ftruck  with  a  Hammer,  remains  firm  and 
conftant  the  same,  but  not  in  a  Veflel,  which  is  cal- 
led Lacopella^  or  Cupella  :  and  they  have  many  other 
notable  inventions. 

Likewife  they  have  found  out  ftrong  waters, 
wherewith  they  feparate  BraiTe  from  Silver  and 
Gold,  which  could  not  be  done  in  ancient  times, 
(as  Ulpianus  the  Lawyer  affirms  in  lib.  5.  §  3.  jfi  Be 
ret  vindicat.  Where  he  faith,  that  if  BralTe  were 
mixed  with  Gold,  it  could  not  be  deduded.  Those 
ftrong  waters  do  wonderfully  trouble  the  fight,when 
they  feparate  Gold  from  Silver.  For  the  Silver 
may  be  feen  to  afcend  through  the  middle,  as  if  it 
were  fome  certain  Column;  and  it  is  changed  into 
green,  red  and  other  colours,  and  at  laft  it  is  fcat- 
tered  in  the  v/ater  fo  that  the  Silver  can  be  feen  no 
more,  but  all  is  full  of  v/ater,  the  Gold  remaining 
in  the  Bottom. 

The  Cupella  was  latelv  found;  that  admirable 
veflel  is  made  of  a  bone  of  an  Oxe.  In  this.  Gold 
and  Silver  is  put  to  be  polifhed  and  purged  of  ail 
fpots  and  blemiilies,  wherein  nothing  but  even  the 
very  pure  refined  Gold  remaines.  The  Gold  or 
Silver  being  involved  in  a  thin  leaf  of  Lead,  is  caft 
into  that  little  Vefiel,  which  is  put  on  the  fire,  and 
then  the  Cupella  or  little  Vefiel  confumes  all  the 
other  mettal  which  is  in  it,  but  leaves  the  true  Gold 
or  Silver,  which  lyeth  in  the  bottome  without  any 
mixture,  untouched. 


240  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  Lib.  9. 

But  there  is  a  doubt  whether  Alchymy  be  law- 
full  or  no  .?  And  truly  the  interpreters,  as  well  of 
the  Civill,  as  fpiritual  or  Canon  Lav/,  affirm  with  one 
confent;  that  though  at  the  firft  fight  it  may  feem 
to  be  concluded  negatively,  forafmuch  as  it  belongs 
to  God  alone  to  change  one  fubftance  into  another, 
becaufe  no  man  though  of  never  fo  great  fame, 
can  perform  that;  And  therefore  the  Devill  when 
he  tempted  Chrift,  as  if  he  were  in  doubt,  whether 
he  were  the  Son  of  God,  or  no  ;  faid.  If  thou  art  the 
Son  of  God  J  cauje  that  thefe  ft  ones  may  be  made  bread^ 
that  is,  Do  Jome thing  which  only  belongs  to  God  to  do. 
Yet  they  concluded  at  laft,  that  Alchymy  was  lawfull. 
And  upon  this  Argument,  viz.  becaufe  all  mettals 
proceed  out  of  Sulphur  and  Quick-filver,  which  the 
Alchymifts  call  Mercury,vjh\ch  if  they  receive  Ayre, 
Water,  and  Heat  sufficient,  are  turned  into  Gold, 
but  if  they  want  a  fit  temper,  that  they  cannot  be 
brought  to  that  perfedion,  then  they  make  Silver, 
Tin,  Lead,  or  BrafTe,  according  to  the  influence 
anddifpofition  of  the  Elements.  Therefore  humane 
Art  doth  not  turn  one  fubftance  into  another,  but 
heat  and  temperament ;  Sulphur  and  Quicksilver 
having  the  force  and  power  to  turn  into  Gold,  and 
if  it  cannot  be  done  by  reafon  of  fome  defed,  then 
the  Alchymifts  do  fupply  that  heat  and  tempera- 
ment by  their  Art,  which  will  bring  the  Sulphur 
into  the  fubftance  of  Gold,  as  well  as  if  it  had  been 
natural.  John  Andrea,  a  noted  interpreter  of  the 
Pontifical  Law  ;  writeth,  that  Arnoldus  de  villa  nova, 
turned  Brafs  into  little  Rods  of  Gold,  in  the  Ro- 
man  Court,   many  Cardinals    being  prefent ;'  and 


Lib.  9.  POLIDORE  VIRGIL.  141 

prefently  departing,  he  left  it  to  any  fort  of  trial. 
The  Art  may  be  true,  but  I  believe  that  there  are 
very  few,  yea,  fcarce  one  that  is  expert  in  it.  For 
thofe  that  profefle  it,  are  either  Fools,  or  much 
inclined  to  poverty.  Therefore  it  is  an  ancient 
Proverb,  /  never  Jaw  a  rich  Alchymift, 


CHAP.  IV. 


OF  DISTILLATION. 


D 


ISTILLATION  was  invented  after  that  the 
Roman  Empire  was  eftablifhed.  It  is  credible,  that 
it  was  found  at  the  fame  time,  in  the  exercife  of 
Alchymy.  Some  fay,  that  a  certain  Phyfitian,  hav- 
ing a  difh  upon  the  Table  full  of  hearbs,  being  fud- 
denly  called  to  vifit  a  fick  perfon,  covered  that  difh 
with  another,  and  then  went  away :  but  being  return- 
ed, he  found  the  uppermoft  difh  moiftned  :  and 
hence  confidering  that  he  might  eafily  extract  juices, 
he  bent  his  wit  fo  far,  that  thence  he  made  the 
beginning  of  Diftillation.  Others  having  imitated 
him,  by  pradiiing  that  Art,  have  made  it  perfed. 
31 


24  2 


POLIDORE  VIRGIL. 


Lib.  9. 


That  Art  is  profitable,  becaufe  out  of  it  came  Aqua- 
vitae,  Oyl  of  Cinnamon,  and  innumerable  other 
Liquors,  which  are  of  very  great  effed.  By  this 
means  it  happens  that  all  thofe  waters  out  of  Suc- 
cocory.  Capers,  and  other  hearbs,  which  are  wont  to 
be  adminiftred  to  fick  perfons,  are  nov/  diftilled: 
whereas  formerly  they  were  onely  boyled,  and  the 
Decodion  given  to  the  Patients. 


FINIS. 


A  Table,  containing  moft 

of  the  fpecial  Matters  or 

Sentences  in  this 

Book. 


A. 

Alhallow-day, 

184 

A  ARON  and    Saul 
"^^   firft  anointed, 
Abell, 
Aborigines, 

Alms, 
Amber, 

'11 

152 

10 

Amphion, 
Amphitheaters, 
Anacletus        forbade 

34 

no 

Abraham, 

39 

Priefts  to  have  beards, 

^35 

He  taught  the  contents 

Anaxagoras, 

3 

of  Geometry  to  the 

Anaximander, 

5,8 

Egyptians, 

42 

Anchors, 

83 

He  is  circumcifed. 

126 

Andronicus, 

41 

ordained      the      firft 

Annates, 

222 

place  of  buriall, 
Adam    the    firft    man, 
II,  he  named  beafts, 

158 

Anointing  is  the  token 

of  Kings, 
Anointing  of  Children, 

152 
^53 

98.     He     made    the 

Antioch, 

154 

firft  Coat  of  Lether, 

lOI 

Antonius    Enipho,   a 

Advent, 

176 

Schoolmafter, 

23 

Advoutry, 

iEoLUS     obferved     the 

119 

Apollo, 

Apollo,  god    of  Medi- 

3 

winds, 
Aeromancy, 
iEthiopus  defpifed  oynt- 

ments, 
Ayre, 
Alchymy, 

40 
49 

79 
8 

237 

cines, 
Apoftles, 
Apparrel, 

Apparrell  in  Mourning, 
April, 
Apuleius  de  afino  aureo, 

34 
132 

lOI 

108 
61 

^73 

CONTENTS. 


Arabians,  14 

Arcadians,  33 
Archagathus  the  firfl- 

Phyfitian  in  Rome,  44 
Archbilhops,  140 
Arch-Deacons,  141 
Archelaus,  28 
Archilocus  found  Iam- 
bus, 25 
Archimedes      devifed 

the  Sphear,  40 
Ariopagites     judged   in 

the  night,  56 

Arras  Cloath,  100 

Ariftocracy,  133 
Aristotle  had  the  firft 

Library,  66 

Arithmetick,  42 

Ark,  152 

Art  of  Memory,  68 
AscLEPiADES  abolifhed 

Phyfic,  46 
Affinius    Pollo    had 

the   firft    Library    in 

Rome,  66 

Aftrology,  59 

Athanasius,  173 
Athens    made     many 

books,  66 

Atlas,  39 

Atomes  or  Motes,  8 
Authors    of  the  names 

of  Countries,  12 

Augustus's  Seal,  91 

Auricular     Confeflion,  170 

Axe,  116 


B. 


nABYLON, 
^  Bacchus, 

12 

80 

Baking, 
Balm,  an  herb. 

95 

45 

Banners, 

190 

Banquetes, 

Baptifm, 

Barbers, 

97 
127 
120 

Barchian  league. 
Barges, 
Barques, 
Balket, 

78 
117 

116 

Baths, 

114 

Battel  on  the  Sea, 

118 

Beads, 

162 

Beafts  that  be  badges,  99 
Beadel  denounced  noon,  60 
Beholding    the    bowels 

of  beafts,  50 

Bells,  190 

Bellows,  85 

Belus,  3,  18 

Bennet's  ufe,  174 

Bezoars  stone,  236 

Bible,  180 

Buying  of  Wives,  115 

Birds,  51 

Birth-dayes,  182 

Bissextus,  62 

Biftiops,  125 

Biftiops  of  Rome   may 

change  their  names,  138 
Biftiops  married  Maids,    155 


Biftiops   of    Rome   be 

carried      on      mens' 

{houlders, 
Blood-letting, 
Boats, 
Bolts, 

Bone-fires,  I2f 

Bondage,  56 

Books,  65 

Bow  and  fhafts,  70 

Bracks  and  Slings,  70 

Brazen  Trump,  35 

BrafTe,  83 

Brick-work,  102 

Bridle-bits,  71 

Brigantine,  117 

Broches,  no 

Building,  102 

Bulls  of  Lead,  221 

Burial  is  the  end  of  all 

things,  189 

Burying,  107 

Burying  of  an   Emper- 

our,  109 

Burning    dead     bodies,   108 
Buttons,  233 


CONTENTS. 

iii 

:             Cain, 

Calends, 

19.  94 
62 

138      Camillus, 
47      Cancer, 
117      Candles, 
70      Candlemas- 
5,155      Canis, 

-day. 

79 

47 

85 

149 

74 

r^ADMUS, 


19,  20 


Cadmus  wrote  the  first 

ftory  of  Cyrus,  29 

Cadmus  found  gold,  83 

Cain  and  Abel  facrifi- 


ced  firfl. 


^59 


Canonizing    of   Saints,  185 

Caps,  142 

Cardinals,^  137 

Carpenter's  Art,  115 
Carthagenians  were 

firft  Merchants,  118 

Cafting  Lots,  51 

Cafting  money  abroad,  150 
Cecrops,  14,  29 
Centauri  was  found  by 

Chiron,  46 

Ceres,  54 

Cere's  Image,  91 
Ceremonies,  why  they 

were  fo  named,  166 
Chaldees,                       37, 38 

Chalices  of  Wood,  189 
Chalices   of  filver    and 

gold,        ^  190 

Chamberlains,  137 

Chariots,  72 

Charms,  48 

Chances,  74 

Chanters,  153 

Chattering    of  birds,  51 

Cherry-Trees,  97 

Cheefe  making,  97 

Chefle,  74 

Chip- Axe,  115 


CONTENTS. 


Chiromancy,  49 
Chiron,   authour      of 

Salves,  46 

Chius,  74 

Chrysippus,  4 

Chrifm,  153 
Christ,  authour  of  our 

Priefthood,  154 
Cryftal,  -;  .  88 
Chriftmas  Lords,  152 
Chriftening  of  Infants,  128 
Churches  and  Church- 
yards, 157 
Cicero,  31 
Circenses,  75 
Circumcifion,  126 
Civil  Crown,  81 
Civil  Law,  53 
Cleanthes,  3 
Cleophantus  invented 

colours,  92 

Clergy,  129 

Clocks,  64 

Cock-boat,  117 

Coyning,  86 

Comedies,  27 
Commendations  to  dead 

bodies,  no 

Common-wealth,  55 

Common-women,  120 

Communion,  168 

Compafle,  115 

Confellion,  170 
Constantine  forbade 
putting   to   death  on 

the  CrofTe,  162 


Confirmation,  153 

Conjurers,  130 
Constantine  born  in 

England,  first 

Chriftian  Emperour,  231 

Consuls  of  Rome,  58 
CoRAX    gave    rules    of 

Rhetorick,  31 

Corn-fowing,  95 

Corona  triumphalis,  81 

Corporaces,  190 

Corpus-Christi    day,  106 

Covering  of  Scaffolds,  in 

Councils,  226 

Counting  by  nails,  42 

Cranes  or  Vernes,  70 
Cratus      taught      the 

Grammer  in  Rome,  23 

Cries,  77 

CrofTe-bowes,  70 

CrofTe-dayes,  184 
Croffe  forbidden  to    be 

made,  158 

Crowns  of  Brazen  plate,  80 

Crowns  of  divers  forts,  81 

Cups  were  crowned,  81 


D. 

TAAYES      of    every 
^^  moneth,  62 

Dayes  turned  into   Fe- 

ries,  179 

Dayes    named    of  the 

Planets,  180 


CONTENTS. 


Daphnis      found     the 

Shepherd's  Carolls,  26 

Dardanus    Trezeni- 

us,  35 

Darts,  69 

David  sung  in  Meter, 

24,33 
Decking  of  Churches,  149 
Declamator,  31 
Decrees,  58 
Dead  bodies,  108,  188 
D^DALUS  flew  his  Ne- 
phew, 115 
Dedication-dayes,  184 
DedicatingofChurches,  160 
Degrees  of  kindred  in- 
hibited to  marry,  156 
Deifying  of  the  Empe- 

rour,  109 
Delaying  of  Wines,  96 
Demaratus  taught  the 
Hetrurians  Let- 
ters, 22 
Demaratus,  90 
Democrafie    began      in 

Rome,  58 
Democrafie,  54 
Democritus,  II 
Demosthenes,  31 
Denouncing  the  Dicta- 
tor, 56 
Detany,  47 
Divifion  of  Nations,  13 
Divorcement,  18 

DiAGORAS,  4 


Dialogues,  37 

Debutades,  90 

Dice,  73 
Dictators  firfl:  in  Rome,     58 

Dictator's  Office,  58 

Dying  of  Wooll,  lOO 

Dying  of  hair,  1 19 

Diocefl^es,  137 

DiOCLESIAN,  231 

DiODORUS,  20 

DioNYsius,  3'?  94 

Diriges  or  Exequies,  186 

Difguifing,  152 
Divers  Diviflons  of  the 

year,  61 
Divers  divifions  of  the 

day,  63 
Divers  kinds  of  meter,  25 
Divers  manner  of  Pa- 
per, 67 
Diverfity  of  fpeeches,  11 
Divifions  of  the  night,  65 
Dreams,  51 
Drinking  on   Maundy- 

Thurfday,  149 

Druides,  37 

Drumflades    in    Warr,  36 

Dulcimers,  35 

Dunging  land,  95 


182 


Dialls, 


64 


PIASTER, 


Eafl:er  appointed  to  be 
kept  on  the   Sunday,   179 


71 


CONTENTS. 


Eafter  inftituted  by  the 
Apoftles,  i8i 

Eafter   to    be   kept    in 
March,  i8i 

Eating  of  flefh,  98 

Echpfe  of  the  Sun  and 
Moon,  40 

Eggs,  99 

Egyptians,  39 

Egyptians   are  fuperfti- 
tious,  123 

Egyptian  letters, 

Egyptians  found    Geo- 
metry, 41 

Egyptians     found     the 


year. 


60 


Election  of  the  Biftiop 

of  Rome,  139 

Electors  of  the   Empe- 

rour,  139 

Eleazer     driveth    out 

Spirits,  48 

Embring-dayes,  77 

Embroidering,  100 

Ennius      called       the 

Poets  holy,  24 

Empedocles,  31 

Endymion      perceived 

the     courfe    of    the 

Moon,  40 

Enos,  20 

Epicarmus,  20 

Epicurus,  4 

Epicurus     taught   the 

Grammer  firft,  23 

Epulones,  69 


Ethiopians,  19 
Ethiopians    opinion    of 

man,  19 
EvANDER  brought  let- 
ters into  Italy,  21 
Even  and  odde,  75 
Eumolphus,  20 
Excommunication,  142 
Exercifes,  72 


Extream  Unction, 


154 


pAMOUS 

tians. 
Fanes, 

Phyfi- 

45 
41 

Fafting, 
Faunus, 

175 
3 

Feafts  inftituted  by  the 

Apoftles,  183 

Feafts  inftituted  at  the 

Council  of  Lyons,  184 
February,  6 1 

Faeciales  Sacerdotes,  147 
Feeding  of  Birds,  51 

Ferry-Boats,  118 

Fetters,  60 

F.    was   taken    of  the 

Cohans,  21 

F.  for  V.  confonant,  21 

Fidlers    and  Pipers,  36 

Fighting  on  horfeback,  72 
Figures  of  Arithmetick,  42 
Fire,  7,  82 

Fire    and  Water  given 

in  token  of  chaftity,     17 


CONTENTS. 

vii 

Firft  Mafle  of  Priefls, 

149 

God-father    and    God- 

Firft   Church   of    the 

mother, 

127 

Chriftians, 

157 

God-brother  and  God- 

Firft  Church  in  Rome, 

157 

fifter. 

156 

Fifliing, 

99 

Gold,                          8^ 

;,86 

Flefti  was  not  eaten  be- 

Good Angels, 

2 

fore  Noah, 

176 

GOSHAUKE, 

120 

Flying  of  Birds, 

51 

Grace  at  meat, 

180 

Five  parts  of  Philofo- 

Grammer,  two  parts. 

26 

phy, 

37 

Gravers  in  Marble, 

104 

Fore-heads, 

120 

Grecians     learned      in 

Frederick  Feltrius's 

Egypt, 

39 

Library, 

66 

Gregory     eftablifhed 

Fullers  craft, 

100 

the    fingle     life     of 

Funerals, 

107 

Priefts, 

156 

Funeral  Playes, 

73 

Greek  Letters, 

22 

Greek  ftories. 

30 

G. 

Grinding, 

Guns,  and   when   they 

95 

rjALEY, 
^^  Games, 

117 

were  firft  made, 

70 

71 

Garlands, 

80 

Gates  of  Marble, 

103 

H. 

Geomancy, 

49 

Gymnofophifts, 

37 

TTABERGEON, 
-■^   Hallowing   of  the 

69 

Glafles  to  look  in, 

86 

Glaffe, 

87 

Priefts   Veftures, 

190 

Glew, 

115 

Hangings, 

100 

God's  Nature, 

5 

Harnefs, 

69 

God  made  man. 

12 

Harp, 

84 

God,  what  he  is. 

6 

Harp,  who  found  it. 

34 

God  was  the  author  of 

Hebrew  letters. 

22 

Lawes, 

54 

Hebrews  were  authours 

God  is  made  man. 

124 

of  Poetry, 

24 

God's  mercy. 

124 

Hebrews  were  authours 

Goddefles  of  favour, 

34 

of  Philosophy, 

37 

32 

Till 


CONTENTS. 


Hebrews     after    Jose- 
PHUS  found  Geome- 
try, 41 
Hebrews    ordained  De- 

mocrafie,  55 

Hechwall,  45 
Hellen  found  the  Crofs,i58 

Helmets,  69 

Herb  called  Balin,  45 
Herbs  were  created  for 

man,  45 

Hercules,  75 

Hereticks,  289 

Heroical  Verfe,  25 

HiPERBIUS,  98 

Hippocrates,  43 

Hiftorles,  29 

Hoye,  117 

Holy  bread,  194 

Holy-dayes,  160 

Holy-water,  160 

Honey,  97 

Horfes,  71 
Hostanes  wrote  books 

of  Magick,  48 

Hours,  63 

Houfes,  102 

Hunting,  99 

Hunting-ftaves,  70 

Hufbandry,  94 


JACOB        made      a 
league,  ^-J 

January,  61 


Janus,  19 

Janus  coyns  of  braffe,       86 
Javelins,  69 

IcARius,  124 

Id^i  dactyli,  84 

Ides,  62 

Idolatry,  17 

Jehosuah,  77 

Iginius    made  firft    or 

ders,  134 

John    Baptist.  163 

John    Guthenbergus 

found  Printing,  66 

Images,  89,194 

Images  of  Kings,  17 

Images  of  Wax,  49 

Inftitution  of  wedlock,  14 
Inftruments  of  huf- 
bandry, 95 
Inftruments  of  Phyfick,  45 
Job,  25,  122 
Joseph,  25,  122 
Iron,  83 
Isaac  digged  pits,  136 
Isis,  18 
Jubilee,  281 
Julius  C^sar  made  the 

year  perfect,  61 

Jupiter,  3 

Juftes  in  Rome,  149 

Jufting-Spears,  69 

K. 
T7-EELE,  117 

-^^  Keeping  the  Sacra- 
ment in  Churches,       169 


CONTENTS. 


IX 


Kingdomes     began     in 

Egypt,  54 

Kings,  how  they  behav- 
ed themfelves,  55 
Kings  of  Rome,  57 
Kings  and    Queens   of 

England,  144 

Kings  and  Priests  were 

anointed,  153 

Kindred     inhibited     to 

marry,  156 

Kifling  the    Bifhop    of 

Rome's  feet,  143 

Knights  wear  Rings  for 

difference,  87 

Knights  of  the  Rhodes,  210 
Knights  of  St.  James,  211 
Knights  of  Jefus  Chrift,  211 
Knitting  nets,  100 


L. 

T   ABYRINTHS,         105 
-^  Labourers  pafs  the 

time  with  Songs,  21 

Lacedemonians  man- 
ner of  War,  36 
Lacedemonians  offer- 
ings, 79 
Laity,  128 
Lamech  had  2  Wives,  156 
Lame  men    may  not  be 

Priefls,  135 

Lammas-day,  184 

Lamps,  149 


Latine  stories,  30 

Law,  52 
Law    for    drinking     of 

wine,  144 

Law-makers,  54 

Lawes  of  mourning,  186 

Lawes  natural,  52 

Lead,  83 

Leagues,  77 

Leap-year,  62 

Legends,  174 

Leg-harnefs,  69 

Lent,  176 
Leontinus    Gorgias's 

Image,  90 

Letanies,  192 

Letters,  20 
Letters  to  accompt  with- 

all,  42 

Letting  of  blood,  47 

Lever,  84 

Levites,  52 
Liberty  of  the    old  Sa- 

tyres,  25 

Libraries,  66 

LiciNius  Calvus,  60 

Lycurgus,               ^  53 

l  vidians,  86 

Lighter,  117 

Line,  115 

Linnen,  100 

Linus,  24 
Livius  Andronicus,         24 

Looking-glafTes,  86 

Lots,  51 

LUCRETIA,  120 


CONTENTS. 


LUPERCALIA, 


75 


M. 


MAGITIANS,  37 

Magi,  48 

Magick,  48 

Mahomet's  Sect,  276 

Maids  of  Cypres,  119 
Maids    of    Rome   and 

Greece,  19 

Maying,  150 

Marjoram,  47 
Malcolm,     King     of 

Scots,  17 
Manner   of  divers  Na- 
tions in  Marriages,  15 
Manner    of   reckoning 

years,  41 

Mantil,  100 

Manumiffion,  56 

Marble,  103 

March,  61 
Marcus  Cato  banifhed 
Phyfitians      out      of 

Rome,  44 
Marcus  Valerius  or- 
dained    a    Diall     in 

Rome,  64 

Mary  the  Virgin  dyed,  125 
Marriage  began  in  Pa- 

radife,  15 
Marriage  of  divers  Na- 
tions, 15 
Marriage  of  Priefts,  154 
Marius,  59 


Mars,  author  of  Chi- 
valry, 68 
Martyrs,  294 
Mafques,  120,  151 
Meflagetes,  15 
Mafle,  the  parts  there- 
of, 1 66 
Mafts,  118 
Matches,  84 
Mattins,      Prime     and 

Hours,  165 

Meafures  and  Weights,  42 
Meats      forbidden     on 

Fasting-dayes,  180 

Melissus,  18 

Melting  brafs,  84 

Memory  of  Martyrs,  184 

Menander,  28 
Men  deified,                  2,184 

Men  lived  by  Acorns,  95 

Men  of  great  memory,  67 
Men    v^ere    firft  called 
Chriftians  in    Anti- 

OCH.  125 
Men  w^ere  facrificed  by 

the  Gentiles,  159 

Men  vi^rote  in  plates,  86 

Menon,  20 
Mercury,  3i>  3^,54 
Mercury    found     the 

Concordes,  32 
Mercury    found     the 

Harp,  34 
Mercurius      Trisme- 
GiSTUS  appointed    12 

hours  in  the  day,  63 


CONTENTS. 


XI 


kinds 


the 


Mettals, 
Meter,     divers 

thereof, 
Mice   engender  of 

Mudd, 
Milk, 
Minifter, 
Minos, 
Minos  had  the  firft  rule 

on  the  Sea, 
Myrrhe, 
Moly, 
Monarchy, 
Moneths, 
Money, 
Monks, 
Morifpikes, 
Moses, 
Moses  did 


83 
25 

10 

99 
130 

54 


117 

88 
46 

54 

61 

105 

200 

69 

23,79 
promulgate 


21. 


the  firft  Laws, 

Moses   did    write    the 
firft  ftory, 

Moses  found  the  trump, 

Moses  ordained  divorce- 
ments. 

Motleys 

Moulds, 

Mourning, 

Mourning    is    fuperfti- 
tious  Hypocrifie, 

Mummies       deftroyed 
Corinth, 

Murall  crown, 

Mufick, 

Mufick  maketh  a  man 
effeminate, 


54 

29 
36 

18 

100 

93 
186 

187 

93 
54 
31 

33 


N. 

ISJABLES, 

-'-^    Naked  games, 

Nafamones, 

Nature  gave  mufick  to 
men. 

Nature  of  Oyl, 

Navall  Crown, 

Necromancie, 

Nemi, 

Neptunus,  had  the  em- 
pire of  the  Sea, 

Nero  firft  perfecutor, 

Netts, 

New-Year's  gifts. 

Night  facrifices  are 
aboliftied, 

NiLUS    doth    overflow 

Ninus  did  enlarge   his 

Empire, 
Noah    made   the 

Altar, 
Noah   planter   of 

Vine, 
Noon, 
Nonas, 
Notaries, 
NuMA  added     to 


35 

73 
17 

31 

'53 
81 

49 
73 

116 
230 

100 
150 

178 


firft 


the 


the 


year. 
Numbers, 
Nunnes, 


O. 


40 

55 
129 

96 

64 

63 

137 

61 

41 
142 


OBELISCI,  no 

Obferving  of  dayes,  38 


Zll 


CONTENTS. 


Obferving  of  dyet,  was 

beginning  of  Phyfick,  42 

Obfidional  Crown,  81 

Occafion  of  Idolatry,  17 

Ochus,  37 

Odde  and  even,  75 

Offering,  49 

Office  fold  in  Rome,  138 

Oyl,  153 

Oyntments,  81 

Olympiades,  72 

Olive-Oyl,  97 

OneGod,  6 

Opinion  of  Philofophers,  3 
Opinion  of  the  birth  of 

man,  9 

Oracle,  89 

Oracles  doubtfull,  2 

Oracles       ceafed        at 

Chrift's  coming,  160 

Orator,  31 

Order  of  Cardinals,  137 

Order  of  ManumilTion,  56 
Oresteus,  96 

Organies,  47 

Orpheus,  19,24,31,  45 
Original     of     Heathen 

Gods,  I 

Otho,  a  German,  made 

Emperour,  140 


pAINTING,  91 

^    Palamedes  array,       69 


Pallas,  3 

Pamphilia,  loo 

Panafe,  41 

Pancias,  80 

Paper,  67 

Parchment,  67 

Pardons,  219 

Parifhes,  135 

Parts  of  Rhetorick,  31 

Parts  of  the  night,  65 

Parthians,  45 

Pafchal  candles,  182 

Patriarchs,  14 1 

Paul  is  converted,  125 

Peacock,  99 

Pelagius  caufed  Sub- 
deacons  to  forfake 
their  Wives,  156 

Penitencers,  207 

Penfil,  92 

Pentecoft,  183 

Perfecutors,  297 

Peter  and  Philip  had 

Wives,  155 

Peter  crucified,  125 

Peter  converted  three 

thoufand,  125 

Phedon,  85 

Pherecides,  30 

Phidias,  91 

Philip,  Emperour,  pro- 
claimed an  heretick,     194 
Philosophy,  37 

Philosophy  in  three 
parts,  37 


CONTENTS. 

ziii 

Pyrrhus  dance, 

73 

Potters  frame, 

93 

Phyfitians  famous, 

45 

Prayer, 

161 

Phyfick, 

42 

Preaching, 

162 

Phonoreus, 

54 

Price  of  Writs, 

221 

Pillars, 

103 

Priefts  age. 

135 

PiRODES  ftruck  fire 

out 

Priefts, 

132 

of  flint, 

84 

Prieft's  firft  Maffe, 

149 

Piromancy, 

49 

Priefts  of  Egypt, 

99 

PisiSTRATUS,  made  the 

first  book,  66 
Pythagoras        called 
himself    a     Philoso- 
pher, 37 
Pythagoras   observed 

the  Day-ftar,  40 

Pits,  who  digged  them,  105 

Playes,  or  Shews,  72 

Plato,  8 

Pliny,  20 

Plough,  95 

Plucking  out  of  Teeth,  43 

Poets,  87 
Poets  be  called  holy,  of 

i^NEAS,  24 

Poetry,  24 

Pole-axes,  69 

PoLiGNOTUS,  91 
Punishment    for    Adul- 
tery,                         16,  120 
Puniftimentfor  omitting 

Oblations,  159 

PONTIFEX  MaXIMUS,  1 4.6 

Poffeflions  permitted  to 

the  Clergy,  196 

PosTHUMius,  79 

Potters  craft,  93 


Priefts  of  Egypt  wrote 

ftories,  30 

Priefthood,  129 

Primitive  Church,  133 

Prime,  63 

Prince  electours,  138 

Printing,  66 

Prifons,  60 

Prognoftications,  41 

Prometheus,  86 

Prophefying,  50 

Profe,  22 

Protagoras,  4 

Pfalter  of  David,  24 

Psammeticus,  10 
Ptolemeus's  Libraries,     66 

Pultries,  99 
Purification  of  women,     156 

Purple  colour,  loi 

Purple  robe,  153 


Q 


Q. 

THE  LETTER, 

Quarrels, 

R. 


T>  AMMERS, 
-*^  Readers, 


21 

70 


70 
130 


ziT 


CONTENTS. 


Reading    the    Bible   at 

meat,  i8o 
Riding  of  horfes,  71 
Reckonings,  41 
Reconciliation  of  Chur- 
ches, 184 
Regals,  35 
Religion,  13,  122 
Reliques,  217 
Repentance,  a   remedy 

for  fin,  170 

Rhetorick,  31 

Right  hand,  143 

Ringing  to  Service,  191 

Rites  of  burying,  107 

Rites  of  Marriage,  18 

Royal  Ornaments,  59 
Romans     burned   their 

dead  bodies,  108 

Romans  League,  77 

Rome  made  orders,  131 

Romulus,  57 
Romulus    ordered   the 

year,  61 
Rowing  in  Boats,  117,118 
Rudders,  117,118 
Rue,  47 
Ruling  the  Common- 
wealth, 54 
S. 

CABBATH-DAYES 
^  of  the  Jews,  181 

Sacrament  of  the  Altar,   169 
Sacrifices,  177 

Sailes,  117 


Solomon,  105 

Solomon  made  the  firft 

Temple,  157 

Salt,  99 

Saluting  with  kifles,  144 

Sanctuaries,  ill,  156 

Sand-Diall,  64 

Satyres,  27 

Saturnalia  games,  76 

Saturnus,    Father    of 

the  gods,  4 

Savery,  47 

Saw,  116 

Scaffolds,  III 

Scarlet  robesj  135 

Schifms,  225 

Scythians  League,  78 

Scribes,  221 

Selandine,  47 

Senio,  74 

Servius  Tullius,  86 

Secretaries,  221 

Seth's  pofterity,  39 

Sextons,  130 

Shafts,  70 

Shalmes,  35 

Shaven  Crowns,  135 

Ships,  117 

Shoo-makers  craft,  lOi 

Silk,  loi 

Sylla,  59 

Silver,  83 

Silver  coyned  in  Egina,  85 
Silvester  commanded. 

That  a  Prieft  fhould 

have  but  one  Wife,     155 


CONTENTS. 


XV 


Simony,  223 

Simonides,  5 

Singing  Pfalmes  by  courfe,  1 73 
Singing  to  the  Lute,  35 

Single-livers,  17 

Sithes,  70 

Slings,  70 

Smith's  Forge,  84 

Socrates,  33 

Solicitors,  221 

Sol,  63 

Soul-mafle  day,  188 

Somners,  220 

Sons  of  Noah,  13 

Sons  of  Seth  found  the 

Letters,  21 

Sodering  of  Iron,  84 

Spears,  69 

Speaking  of  the  Nature 

of  God  is  dangerous,       5 
Spindles,  100 

Spinning,  100 

Spirits,  48 

Spurius  Carilius,  18 

Squire,  115 

Stations,  218 

StalHng  a  Bifhop,  135 

Staves,  68 

Steeples,  106,  108 

Stephen  is  martyred,      123 
Stars,  of    vi^hat    power 

they  be,  38 

Stew^s,  119,  230 

Stocks,  55 

Story  of  a  King's  daugh- 
ter, I 


Striking  of  the  Clock,  64 

Subfidies  and  taxes,  59 
Succeilion     of    Prieft- 

hood,  130 
Superftition  turned  into 

Religion,  177 

Supplications,  192 

Susanna,  120 

Swearing,  141 
Swine    commended    in 

facrifices,  97 

Swords,  69 

Sword-players,  76 


npABLES,  73 

^    Talus,  74 

Tapers,  149 

Targets,  69 

Taxes  or  fubfidy  that 
they  pay,  which  have 
benefices,  221 

Telesphorus    did   ap- 
point   Lent    to    be 
kept  before  Easter,    176 
Tennis,  73 

Tents,  105 

Texts   proving  Confef- 

fion,  172 

Thales,  3,  61 

Theatres,  1 1 1 

Themistocles,  33 

Theodosius  command- 
ed. That  no  Crofle 
fhould  be  graven  on 
the  ground,  158 


XVI 


CONTENTS. 


Theseus,  firft  Tyrant,  56 
Thessaly    ufed     Ma- 

glck,  48 

Thracians    fafliion  of 

burying,  108 

Three     llrings    in    the 

Harp,  42 

Three  Mafles  on  Chrift- 

mas-day,  167 

Tile  and  Slate,  102 

Tyrians  were  cunning 

Carpenters,  116 

TisiAS   gave    rules    of 

Rhetorick,  31 

Tithes,  195 

Titles     of    Biftiops    of 

Rome,  220 

Tongues,  84 

Towers,  105 

Tragedies,  26 

Tragos,  26 

Tranffigurations,  183 

Tribunes,  58 

Triumphs,  79 

Trix,  26 

True  Faft,  176 

Truce  for  years,  77 

1  ubal-Cain,  33,  69,  84 
Turning  our  faces  Eaft- 

ward.  162 


V. 


■ENUS, 


^     Venus,  a  common 

woman, 
VermiHon, 


74 

119 
88 


Vigils,  178 
Vizzards  were  found  by 

ECHILLES,  26 

Voyces,  56 

Vowes,  192 

Ufe  of  Scotland,  17 

Ufe  in  the  Service,  175 

Vulcanus,  84 

Vulturfii,  75 

Uxor  ab  ungendo,  19 


W 


W. 

AGGONS,  72 

Walls  of  houfes,  105 
Waftiing     of    feet    on 

Maundy-Thurfday,  144 
Wafhing  dead  bodies,  188 
Watch-words,  188 
Water  is  caufe  material,  7 
Water-Dial,  64 
Weights  and  Meafures,  42 
Weaving,  100 
Weather-cocks,  40 
Whit-Sunday,  128 
Wimble,  115 
Winds,  40 
Wine,  96 
Wine-Taverns,  96 
Winter-garlands,  80 
Wooll,  100 
Women  had  commend- 
ations in  Rome,  iio 
Women  may  not  bare 
their    heads     in    the 


Church, 


142 


CONTENTS. 


Women  of  India, 

io8 

Xerxes, 

74 

Works  due  on  the  Holy- 

/  ~ 

dayes, 

1 80 

Y. 

World  made  of  nou 

'ght, 

8 

World    was    made 

by 

yAWNING, 

Year,  who  found  it. 

193 

Meter, 

25 

61 

Wreftling, 

73 

Yoking  Oxen, 

95 

Writing  in  Egypt, 

III 

Writing  Tables, 

149 

Z. 

X. 

z-^Lr- 

39 
II 

V  THE  LETTER,     22     Zoroastes  found   Ma- 
■^^  XamolxIs,  37         gick,  48 


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